KIDNAPPING Synonyms: 30 Similar and Opposite Words

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

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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

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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 kidnapping

Noun

Arnold has been charged with eight felony counts stemming from a February incident — four counts of kidnapping and four counts of armed robbery. — Tobias Bass, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026 The 23-year-old became a free agent in June, when the Detroit Lions released him a few days after the kidnapping, armed robbery and conspiracy charges were levied. — Andrew Destin, Baltimore Sun, 14 Aug. 2026 All three of the suspects were also acquitted of one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and one count of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, prosecutors said. — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 And some of the new information has to do with the ransom notes the family received after the kidnapping. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 13 Aug. 2026 There were 2,154 disappearances in Sinaloa last year, but the kidnapping of Ruelas, 22, and Ibarra, 23, had received more attention than most. — Kevin Sieff, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026 Arnold is facing four counts of kidnapping and four counts of armed robbery, which carry a potential sentence of life in prison. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2026 The technology has helped the Sheriff’s Department in cases ranging from kidnapping and homicide to bike theft, Undersheriff Nick Morawcznski said. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 12 Aug. 2026 His arrest Saturday night follows the Friday arrest of two adults -- Keontae Muhammad, 18, and Tony Scott III, 19 -- and one minor charged in the kidnapping. — Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 10 Aug. 2026

Verb

Both are charged with two counts of kidnapping a federal employee. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 3 Aug. 2026 After kidnapping Sam, Borden rows away from shore and raises a shotgun to his chin. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 22 July 2026 Joseph Charles Henrichsen, 49, and Phoenix Henrichsen, 23, appeared in federal court in Sacramento on Monday but did not enter pleas to charges of kidnapping a federal employee and aiding and abetting. — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 21 July 2026 Both Joseph and Phoenix Henrichsen are charged with two counts of kidnapping federal employees. — Robert McGreevy , Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 18 July 2026 Henrichsen will be charged with kidnapping a federal employee, investigators said. — Alex Stone, ABC News, 17 July 2026 He was found not guilty of kidnapping his ex but was convicted of domestic battery by strangulation. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026 And the surviving cartel scoundrels take the parting shot by kidnapping beloved Carter, putting a hood on him and taking the boy off. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 3 July 2026 One of the other six defendants, Emily Motyka, pleaded guilty to murder and kidnapping charges earlier this month, MacBride said in a June 2 statement. — Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for kidnapping

Noun

While no group claimed responsibility for the abduction, a number of jihadist groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State organization operate in the West African country.

— Jewel Bright, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026
In the wake of the August 2025 abduction, several Louisville-area Republican lawmakers criticized the earlier shock probation order.

— Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of abduction

Verb

Clinton retaliates by abducting Terrance and Phillip and threatening to execute them, signaling his intent to invade Canada.

— Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026
Working off a few vague details, Bret begins to imagine a link between Robert and a serial killer known as the Trawler, who has been abducting and torturing young women around Los Angeles.

— Leo Lasdun, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of abducting

Noun

Alabama is scheduled to execute Jeremy Williams by lethal injection for the 2021 rape and murder of a 5-year-old Georgia girl.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Set in the gloomy colder-weather months in San Francisco, Josephine focuses on a young girl (Mason Reeves) who witnesses a brutal rape while out on a jog with her dad, Damien (Channing Tatum), in Golden Gate Park.

— Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of rape

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kidnappers

kidnapping

kidnappings

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“Kidnapping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kidnapping. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of kidnapping

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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