kidnapped also kidnaped
ˈkid-ˌnapt 
; kidnapping also kidnaping
; kidnapping also kidnaping
: to seize and detain or carry away by unlawful force or fraud and often with a demand for ransom
kidnapper
noun
or less commonly kidnaper
Examples of kidnap in a Sentence
the child of the wealthy industrialist was kidnapped and held for ransom
Recent Examples on the Web
On Monday, Muller was charged in Contra Costa County with three counts of kidnapping for ransom in a separate 2015 incident that occurred two weeks after Muller kidnapped Huskins.
—
Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
He was kidnapped on Oct. 7 from Kibbutz Holit, along with his three children, Hamzah, and Bilal and Aisha, who were released during the November deal.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 8 Jan. 2025
According to a press release from Cochise County Sheriff's Office, the woman called authorities at around 8:10 p.m. to report that she had been kidnapped at gunpoint that afternoon from her home by a man wearing a mask and dark clothing.
—Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 6 Jan. 2025
Among the inmates whose death sentences Biden commuted is Thomas Sanders, who was convicted in 2014 of kidnapping 12-year-old Lexis Roberts.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 2 Jan. 2025
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Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2025
He was kidnapped on Oct. 7 from Kibbutz Holit, along with his three children, Hamzah, and Bilal and Aisha, who were released during the November deal.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 8 Jan. 2025
According to a press release from Cochise County Sheriff's Office, the woman called authorities at around 8:10 p.m. to report that she had been kidnapped at gunpoint that afternoon from her home by a man wearing a mask and dark clothing.
—Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 6 Jan. 2025
Among the inmates whose death sentences Biden commuted is Thomas Sanders, who was convicted in 2014 of kidnapping 12-year-old Lexis Roberts.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 2 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for kidnap
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Cite this Entry
“Kidnap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kidnap. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Legal Definition
Etymology
probably back-formation from kidnapper, from kid child + obsolete napper thief
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