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
Crawford was arrested the day after Ray was kidnapped from her parents' home and stabbed to death in Tippah County.
—
Landon Mion, Fox News, 27 Nov. 2024
However, two other men separately confessed to killing the 6-year-old pageant princess
Comments
On the morning of Dec. 26, 1996, JonBenét Ramsey's mother Patsy called the police to report that the 6-year-old was kidnapped.
—Jessica Sager, People.com, 27 Nov. 2024
Gutierrez-Ochoa allegedly kidnapped two members of the Mexican Navy around November 2021 in an attempt to secure the release of his mother-in-law, El Mencho’s wife, who had been arrested by Mexican authorities.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024
In November 2021, the suspect allegedly kidnapped two members of the Mexican Navy, attempting to secure the release of El Mencho's wife from Mexican custody.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for kidnap 
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Landon Mion, Fox News, 27 Nov. 2024
However, two other men separately confessed to killing the 6-year-old pageant princess
Comments
On the morning of Dec. 26, 1996, JonBenét Ramsey's mother Patsy called the police to report that the 6-year-old was kidnapped.
—Jessica Sager, People.com, 27 Nov. 2024
Gutierrez-Ochoa allegedly kidnapped two members of the Mexican Navy around November 2021 in an attempt to secure the release of his mother-in-law, El Mencho’s wife, who had been arrested by Mexican authorities.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024
In November 2021, the suspect allegedly kidnapped two members of the Mexican Navy, attempting to secure the release of El Mencho's wife from Mexican custody.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for kidnap
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 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Legal Definition
Etymology
probably back-formation from kidnapper, from kid child + obsolete napper thief
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