as in abducts
to carry away (as a person) forcibly or unlawfully
the child of the wealthy industrialist was kidnapped and held for ransom
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of kidnaps
Overflowing with rage, Vahid kidnaps the man and takes him out to the desert to bury him alive.
—
Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 15 Dec. 2025
Kathy Bates is alternately terrifying and hysterical as the unforgettable Annie Wilkes, who kidnaps her favorite writer Paul Sheldon, played by an underrated James Caan.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 15 Dec. 2025
Released in 1982, the dark satire stars Robert De Niro as a desperate aspiring comedian who kidnaps a talk-show host in a misguided attempt at fame.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Buffalo Bill kidnaps poor Catherine Martin (DON'T GET IN THE VAN).
—Keith Sharon, Nashville Tennessean, 7 Nov. 2025
Vahid reacts rather than thinks, through his need for vengeance, and kidnaps Eghbal in a van.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2025
When Jack kidnaps him in Christmas Town and takes him to Halloween Town, he is given a nickname that doesn't fit his true nature.
—Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
At the film’s outset, Inez kidnaps her young son Terry from foster care shortly after her release from prison, and A Thousand and One chronicles her attempt to parent despite the scourges of abuse, police brutality and systemic racism.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2025
No One Saw Us Leave is a thriller about a young mother searching for her children after their father kidnaps them.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Oct. 2025
Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 15 Dec. 2025
Kathy Bates is alternately terrifying and hysterical as the unforgettable Annie Wilkes, who kidnaps her favorite writer Paul Sheldon, played by an underrated James Caan.
—Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 15 Dec. 2025
Released in 1982, the dark satire stars Robert De Niro as a desperate aspiring comedian who kidnaps a talk-show host in a misguided attempt at fame.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Buffalo Bill kidnaps poor Catherine Martin (DON'T GET IN THE VAN).
—Keith Sharon, Nashville Tennessean, 7 Nov. 2025
Vahid reacts rather than thinks, through his need for vengeance, and kidnaps Eghbal in a van.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2025
When Jack kidnaps him in Christmas Town and takes him to Halloween Town, he is given a nickname that doesn't fit his true nature.
—Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
At the film’s outset, Inez kidnaps her young son Terry from foster care shortly after her release from prison, and A Thousand and One chronicles her attempt to parent despite the scourges of abuse, police brutality and systemic racism.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2025
No One Saw Us Leave is a thriller about a young mother searching for her children after their father kidnaps them.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kidnaps
abducts
Verb
-
Stolen Girl Premieres January 3 – 8p/7c Based on real-life events, Stolen Girl follows the journey of Maureen Danning (Beckinsale), whose life is shattered when her ex-husband, Karim, abducts their young daughter, Amina, and flees to the Middle East.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
11 Dec. 2025
-
Another common mistake people make is rounding their shoulders forward, which abducts the scapula (moves the shoulder blades apart from one another).—
Jenny McCoy,
SELF,
25 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kidnaps.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kidnaps. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
