abduction

noun

ab·​duc·​tion ab-ˈdək-shən 

əb-

1

: the action of abducting : the condition of being abducted

2

archaic : the unlawful carrying away of a woman for marriage or sexual intercourse

Synonyms of abduction

• kidnapping
• rape

Examples of abduction in a Sentence

discredited reports of abductions by aliens

Recent Examples on the Web

Authorities investigating the possible abduction of Nancy Guthrie are also exploring the possibility of using the method, which relies on traditional genealogical research and modern DNA analysis to unravel unsolved crimes and cases of unidentified human remains. —Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 21 Feb. 2026

The Nest camera was reported missing after Guthrie’s abduction, but investigators partnered with Google, which owns the camera company, to recover some of the data. —Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 20 Feb. 2026

As the investigation into Guthrie's abduction widens its scope, authorities have now increased the reward for public tips on the case to $102,500. —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026

Anyone with information on Nancy Guthrie's abduction is urged to call 911 or the Pima County Sheriff's Department at 520-351-4900. —Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 19 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin abdūctiōn-, abdūctiō "withdrawal, removal, allurement," from Latin abdūcere "to lead away" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at abduct

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for abduction

• adduction
• conduction
• construction
• deduction
• destruction
• eduction
• induction
• instruction
• obstruction
• production
• reduction
• seduction

Legal Definition

abduction

noun

ab·​duc·​tion ab-ˈdək-shən, əb- 

1

a

: the action of abducting

abduction of a robbery victim

b

: the tort or felony of abducting a person

2

: the unlawful carrying away of a wife or female child or ward for the purpose of marriage or sexual intercourse

Note: Sense 2 has its roots in common law. As statutorily defined, mainly in the nineteenth century, abduction was generally stated to include taking away or detention of a woman under a certain age, usually 16 or 18, with or without her consent or knowledge of her age.