Synonyms of kidnapping

kidnapping 1 of 2

noun

variants also kidnaping

as in abduction

the unlawful or forcible carrying away of a person or animal

an alert system for the prompt reporting of juvenile kidnappings

Synonyms & Similar Words

• abduction
• rape
• hijacking
• snatch
• seizure
• impressment
• shanghaiing

kidnapping

2 of 2

verb

variants also kidnaping

present participle of kidnap

as in abducting

to carry away (as a person) forcibly or unlawfully

the child of the wealthy industrialist was kidnapped and held for ransom

Synonyms & Similar Words

• abducting
• capturing
• seizing
• snatching
• running off with
• making off with
• hijacking
• stealing
• crimping
• making away with
• waylaying
• impressing
• spiriting
• shanghaiing
• absconding (with)
• taking
• catching
• copping

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rescuing
• delivering
• returning
• ransoming
• restoring
• redeeming

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of kidnapping

Noun

But being that a similar kidnapping thriller was coming out with A24’s Spike Lee joint Highest 2 Lowest, Affleck pulled the plug on that version of Animals two weeks before production was set to begin. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 20 Sep. 2026

Rodriguez was charged second-degree breach of peace and one count each of first-degree kidnapping and risk of injury to a minor. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 19 Sep. 2026

The younger Lansky recalled a chilling incident from his childhood, when his grandfather's notoriety and perceived wealth nearly led to his kidnapping. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 17 Sep. 2026

Six of them were in their 60s and 70s when they were tried for armed robbery, kidnapping, gang association and other charges. — ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026

Since Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance, investigators analyzed ransom notes apparently sent by those responsible for the kidnapping. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Surace, who also pled guilty to the kidnapping, rape, and murder of Ivester, was initially sentenced to death only to have the Florida Supreme Court reverse the sentence on appeal. — Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 14 Sep. 2026

Marshall Dixon was arrested and booked into the Tulsa County Jail on suspicion of kidnapping. — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2026

He was charged with three counts of first-degree murder and kidnapping, two counts of abuse of a human body and one count of burglary. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2026

Verb

Someone had come up with the idea of kidnapping Shergar and holdin' him to ransom. — Jon Wertheim, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026

Five people have been indicted for allegedly kidnapping a man at gunpoint in Hartford earlier this year and holding him ransom. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 15 Sep. 2026

Host Kara Robinson Chamberlain, a true crime influencer, kidnapping survivor and former law enforcement officer went to Hall's hometown of Palm Bay to investigate her disappearance. — Curran Rastogi, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026

About a half-million people were reported missing last year in the United States, including those who may have left voluntarily, missing minors, kidnapping victims and others, according to the FBI’s Crime Information Center. — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026

The state police should be focusing on fighting real crimes and not kidnapping immigrants in order to receive federal grant dollars. — Joe Mutascio, IndyStar, 9 Sep. 2026

Tomlin, Fonda and Parton played a trio of secretaries who took revenge on their sexist boss by kidnapping him and enacting changes in the workplace in his name. — Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Its multiversal premise, which involves a man kidnapping a version of himself from another world, can be hard to wrap your head around, and as the first season went on, things only got harder to follow. — Andrew Webster, The Verge, 28 Aug. 2026

One of those holding out hope is kidnapping survivor Elizabeth Smart, who was abducted from her home at age 14 in 2002 and rescued nine months later. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 24 Aug. 2026