abduct

verb

ab·​duct ab-ˈdəkt How to pronounce abduct (audio)
əb-;
sense 2 also
ˈab-ˌdəkt How to pronounce abduct (audio)
abducted; abducting; abducts

transitive verb

1
: to seize and take away (a person) by force
The girl was abducted by kidnappers.
2
: to draw or spread away (a part of the body, such as a limb or the fingers) from a position near or parallel to the median axis of the body or from the axis of a limb
a muscle that abducts the arm
abductor noun

Examples of abduct in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Smart was abducted from her bed on June 4, 2002, by an armed street pastor, Brian David Mitchell. Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 14 Mar. 2024 Back in 2012, Michael, a budding Orange County legal weed impresario, and Mary, his housemate, were abducted and driven out to the desert. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2024 Hamas militants stormed southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing more than 1,000 people and abducting more than 250. Margaret Brennan, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2024 Mohamed Malick Fall, the United Nations’ humanitarian coordinator in Nigeria, said in a statement that although the number of people abducted is estimated at more than 200. Rachel Chason, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 Just days later, dozens of children — if not more — were reported abducted on Thursday from a primary school some 500 miles away in central Nigeria. Ruth MacLean, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024 The students, Murillo declared, had been abducted by crooked municipal police from Iguala and neighboring towns. Alma Guillermoprieto, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024 Two kidnapping gangs notorious for abducting motorists and bus passengers for ransom are now blocking aid deliveries by hijacking food and supply trucks. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2024 The latest — and ongoing — round started after Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killed at least 1,200 people, and abducted 250. Cary Spivak, Journal Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'abduct.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin abdūctus, past participle of abdūcere "to draw (a limb) away from the body," going back to Latin "to lead away, carry off, remove, entice away," from ab- ab- + dūcere "to lead" — more at tow entry 1

First Known Use

1765, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of abduct was in 1765

Dictionary Entries Near abduct

Cite this Entry

“Abduct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abduct. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

abduct

verb
ab·​duct ab-ˈdəkt How to pronounce abduct (audio)
1
: to carry (a person) off by force
2
: to draw (a part of the body) away from a middle plane or line that divides the body or a bodily part into right and left halves
abduction
-ˈdək-shən
noun

Medical Definition

abduct

transitive verb
ab·​duct
ab-ˈdəkt, əb- also ˈab-ˌ
: to draw away (as a limb) from a position near or parallel to the median axis of the body
the peroneus longus extends, abducts, and everts the footC. R. Bardeen
also : to move (similar parts) apart
abduct adjoining fingers
abduction noun

Legal Definition

abduct

transitive verb
ab·​duct ab-ˈdəkt, əb- How to pronounce abduct (audio)
: to carry or lead (a person) away by threat or use of force or often by fraud
also : to restrain or conceal (a person) for the purpose of preventing escape or rescue see also kidnapping
abductor noun

More from Merriam-Webster on abduct

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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