variants
also kidnaping
as in hijacking
the unlawful or forcible carrying away of a person or animal
an alert system for the prompt reporting of juvenile kidnappings
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2025
He was sentenced to 17 years for armed kidnapping and 17 years for armed burglary with assault or battery.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2025
Chowchilla Featuring exclusive interviews with the survivors, the 2023 documentary from CNN Films and HBO Max explores the most bizarre mass kidnapping of all time.
—James Mercadante, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Other crime reports in Texas have been linked to the pair, like murders in Hillsboro, Abilene, Sherman and Dallas, as well as more robberies in Lufkin and Dallas, auto theft in Victoria and the kidnapping of a sheriff and police chief in Wellington.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2025
Shortly after officers responded to the shooting, police got another call in the same area about a kidnapping and home invasion, Jennings said.
—Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2025
He was initially charged with kidnapping and reckless endangerment, Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski said at the news conference.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
In June 2025, a jury found Silguero guilty on charges of kidnapping and conspiracy, prosecutors said.
—Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Additionally, before season one aired, Page Six reported Zakkour was allegedly at the scene of the arrest of crypto investor John Woeltz, who has been charged with kidnapping and torturing a man alongside William Duplessie, per AP News.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025
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
On October 7, 2023, militants led by Hamas stormed into Israel, killing some 1,200 people and kidnapping about another 250 in a coordinated attack that blindsided the country.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 19 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
That closeness, Peters said, makes Americans prime targets for extortion, kidnapping and terror.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2025
He was sentenced to 17 years for armed kidnapping and 17 years for armed burglary with assault or battery.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2025
Chowchilla Featuring exclusive interviews with the survivors, the 2023 documentary from CNN Films and HBO Max explores the most bizarre mass kidnapping of all time.
—James Mercadante, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Other crime reports in Texas have been linked to the pair, like murders in Hillsboro, Abilene, Sherman and Dallas, as well as more robberies in Lufkin and Dallas, auto theft in Victoria and the kidnapping of a sheriff and police chief in Wellington.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2025
Shortly after officers responded to the shooting, police got another call in the same area about a kidnapping and home invasion, Jennings said.
—Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2025
He was initially charged with kidnapping and reckless endangerment, Assistant District Attorney Ashley Toczylowski said at the news conference.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
In June 2025, a jury found Silguero guilty on charges of kidnapping and conspiracy, prosecutors said.
—Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Additionally, before season one aired, Page Six reported Zakkour was allegedly at the scene of the arrest of crypto investor John Woeltz, who has been charged with kidnapping and torturing a man alongside William Duplessie, per AP News.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
On October 7, 2023, militants led by Hamas stormed into Israel, killing some 1,200 people and kidnapping about another 250 in a coordinated attack that blindsided the country.
—Kara Fox, CNN Money, 19 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
-
As far as plane hijacking stories go, Good News has a pretty happy ending.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
17 Oct. 2025
-
The hijacking of the sport and the community institutions that built it, by noxious forces using it for their own means.—
Nick Miller,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Pedro Hernandez, the man convicted of abducting and murdering Etan Patz, must be re-tried by June 2026 or he will be released from custody, a federal judge in New York ruled on Friday.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
17 Oct. 2025
-
On October 7, 2023, Hamas led an attack against Israel, killing 1,200 and abducting 251.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There are measures against the energy, military, and financial sectors of Russia, as well as specific targets against those believed to be involved in the abduction of Ukrainian children.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Records placed Revak in Wisconsin Rapids at the time of Harm’s abduction, Degase said.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Kidnapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kidnapping. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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