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
Relevance
variants
also kidnaping
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of kidnapping
Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
The kidnapping, and Hannibal Lecter's confinement in a ballroom take place in Memphis.
—Keith Sharon, Nashville Tennessean, 7 Nov. 2025
When the kidnapping becomes a matter of state, the entire French government apparatus intervenes to find the little girl.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
Several young Angolan men, all with criminal records of armed robbery and kidnapping, have also been accused in the case, according to the Angolan federal Criminal Investigation Service.
—Nathan Bowe, Twin Cities, 6 Nov. 2025
One of the film’s standout moments — the early kidnapping sequence — captures that precision and playfulness.
—Tiana Denicola, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025
According to Adams, Koehler forced the woman from her upstairs bedroom down to downstairs, purposely disorienting her — the basis for the kidnapping charge he was also found guilty of.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
Here’s everything to know about her kidnapping at the hands of Bobby Joe Long.
—Erica Marrison, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
Shortly after, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the kidnapping, rape and malice murder charges.
—Veronica Fulton, NBC news, 31 Oct. 2025
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
After kidnapping Michelle, negotiations take place between the three characters, with Teddy and Don changing from their silver bodysuits to business suits complete with ties and blazers, a significant choice reflecting the characters’ objectives.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers shot and killed a person in west Charlotte who had been accused of shooting two other people, one fatally, and kidnapping a third.
—Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2025
That’s one of the things that Teddy (Jesse Plemons), an incel eco-terrorist, says to Michelle (Emma Stone) after kidnapping her with his neurodivergent cousin Donny (newcomer Aidan Delbis) and tying her up in their basement.
—Jake Coyle, Boston Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Jimenez and Garfias were found not guilty of kidnapping the victim.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
The attack included fighters flying gliders into a music festival and seizing kibbutzim along the Gaza border, killing, maiming and kidnapping civilians.
—Nbc News, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2025
Serial killers kidnapping vulnerable young people isn’t just for the movies, and that’s part of what makes this Australian horror-crime thriller so uncomfortable to watch.
—Vanessa Maki, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2025
Well, kidnapping 13 million people is a crime.
—Kurt Streeter, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Noun
One of its founders, William da Silva Lima, spent more than 30 years behind bars after being convicted of armed robbery, extortion and kidnapping.
—Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
The kidnapping, and Hannibal Lecter's confinement in a ballroom take place in Memphis.
—Keith Sharon, Nashville Tennessean, 7 Nov. 2025
When the kidnapping becomes a matter of state, the entire French government apparatus intervenes to find the little girl.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
Several young Angolan men, all with criminal records of armed robbery and kidnapping, have also been accused in the case, according to the Angolan federal Criminal Investigation Service.
—Nathan Bowe, Twin Cities, 6 Nov. 2025
One of the film’s standout moments — the early kidnapping sequence — captures that precision and playfulness.
—Tiana Denicola, Variety, 4 Nov. 2025
According to Adams, Koehler forced the woman from her upstairs bedroom down to downstairs, purposely disorienting her — the basis for the kidnapping charge he was also found guilty of.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2025
Here’s everything to know about her kidnapping at the hands of Bobby Joe Long.
—Erica Marrison, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
Shortly after, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the kidnapping, rape and malice murder charges.
—Veronica Fulton, NBC news, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
He is accused of kidnapping activists during the 1998 mass protests that led to Suharto’s downfall.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
After kidnapping Michelle, negotiations take place between the three characters, with Teddy and Don changing from their silver bodysuits to business suits complete with ties and blazers, a significant choice reflecting the characters’ objectives.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers shot and killed a person in west Charlotte who had been accused of shooting two other people, one fatally, and kidnapping a third.
—Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2025
That’s one of the things that Teddy (Jesse Plemons), an incel eco-terrorist, says to Michelle (Emma Stone) after kidnapping her with his neurodivergent cousin Donny (newcomer Aidan Delbis) and tying her up in their basement.
—Jake Coyle, Boston Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
Jimenez and Garfias were found not guilty of kidnapping the victim.
—Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
The attack included fighters flying gliders into a music festival and seizing kibbutzim along the Gaza border, killing, maiming and kidnapping civilians.
—Nbc News, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2025
Serial killers kidnapping vulnerable young people isn’t just for the movies, and that’s part of what makes this Australian horror-crime thriller so uncomfortable to watch.
—Vanessa Maki, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2025
Well, kidnapping 13 million people is a crime.
—Kurt Streeter, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kidnapping
Noun
-
Desperate to know if he was involved in her son's abduction, Marissa and her husband, Peter Irvine (Jake Lacy), confront Colin at their home.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Lennon, 44, was accused of staging a bloody abduction scene at an Oklahoma hotel in 2012 and disappearing after he was charged with child pornography, federal authorities said.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Now, a sinister witch (Sarah Stephens) who bathes her broomstick in the woods tortures their existence, abducting their infant and leaving the family in shambles.—
Michael Lee Simpson,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
-
He was convicted of raping and killing a 6-year-old girl in 1979 after entering through a window and abducting her from her central Florida home.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The organization announced an investigation by outside law firm Omnia Strategy in January 2024 after allegations of human rights abuses, including rape and torture.—
Jack Royston,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
-
No More Shame, which focuses on the shocking rape trial of Gisèle Pelicot.—
Diana Lodderhose,
Deadline,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kidnapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kidnapping. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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