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kidnapped also kidnaped
ˈkid-ˌnapt
; 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
Meanwhile, Pete kidnapped Jay’s body to go visit his daughter, who is moving to Australia.
—Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 19 Dec. 2024
Shortly after the reunion, though, Kraven’s brother, Dmitri (Fred Hechinger) is kidnapped by Aleksei, leading to a climactic showdown with the man who becomes The Rhino.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Officials with the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office said Underwood did not deserve mercy, as evidenced by his plan to kidnap, rape, torture and cannibalize 10-year-old Jamie Rose Bolin.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
The plate seems to reference Oct. 7, when Hamas militants stormed into Israel, killing about 1,200 people and kidnapping about 250.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for kidnap
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Word History
Etymology
probably back-formation from kidnapper, from kid + obsolete napper thief
First Known Use
1682, in the meaning defined above
Articles Related to kidnap
Dictionary Entries Near kidnap
Cite this Entry
“Kidnap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kidnap. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
Legal Definition
Etymology
probably back-formation from kidnapper, from kid child + obsolete napper thief
More from Merriam-Webster on kidnap
Nglish: Translation of kidnap for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of kidnap for Arabic Speakers
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