kidnap
verb
kid·nap ˈkid-ˌnap 
kidnapped also kidnaped ˈkid-ˌnapt ; kidnapping also kidnaping
; kidnapping also kidnaping transitive verb
: to seize and detain or carry away by unlawful force or fraud and often with a demand for ransom
kidnappee noun
or kidnapee
ˌkid-ˌna-ˈpē
kidnapper noun
or less commonly kidnaper
Synonyms
- abduct
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
the child of the wealthy industrialist was kidnapped and held for ransom
Recent Examples on the Web This is somehow immediately known to the Bad Guys, who blow up Brenda’s cell with threatening messages, then kidnap a family member as collateral. 
Dennis Harvey, Variety, 8 Sep. 2022 They are accused of trying to spark a second Civil War ahead of the 2020 presidential election by plotting to kidnap Whitmer at her northern Michigan vacation home and put her on trial for treason. Robert Snell, Anchorage Daily News, 13 Aug. 2022 The 40-minute film revolves around a group of Black activists who kidnap a wealthy white man and then put him on trial for racial crimes in American history. James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Aug. 2022 In the federal case, jurors acquitted two men also accused of plotting to kidnap Whitmer and deadlocked on charges against two others, who law enforcement said were ringleaders, Adam Fox, 39, and Barry Croft Jr., 46. Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 10 Aug. 2022 In a San Diego courtroom on Tuesday, a man from Peru told a judge that cartel members are hunting in the area around his shelter for MPP returnees to kidnap and extort. Kate Morrissey, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Aug. 2022 In July 2021, Manhattan federal prosecutors charged Iranian intelligence officers with conspiring to kidnap Ms. Alinejad and forcibly return her to Iran. James Fanelli, WSJ, 31 July 2022 Prosecutors said Ethridge arranged for Jerry Banks, 34, of Fort Garland, Colorado, to kidnap and then kill Davis. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 25 July 2022 Mexico is fraught with danger, particularly from organized criminal groups that are known to kidnap migrants and hold them for ransom, often paid by relatives in the United States. New York Times, 11 June 2022 See More
Dennis Harvey, Variety, 8 Sep. 2022 They are accused of trying to spark a second Civil War ahead of the 2020 presidential election by plotting to kidnap Whitmer at her northern Michigan vacation home and put her on trial for treason. Robert Snell, Anchorage Daily News, 13 Aug. 2022 The 40-minute film revolves around a group of Black activists who kidnap a wealthy white man and then put him on trial for racial crimes in American history. James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Aug. 2022 In the federal case, jurors acquitted two men also accused of plotting to kidnap Whitmer and deadlocked on charges against two others, who law enforcement said were ringleaders, Adam Fox, 39, and Barry Croft Jr., 46. Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 10 Aug. 2022 In a San Diego courtroom on Tuesday, a man from Peru told a judge that cartel members are hunting in the area around his shelter for MPP returnees to kidnap and extort. Kate Morrissey, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Aug. 2022 In July 2021, Manhattan federal prosecutors charged Iranian intelligence officers with conspiring to kidnap Ms. Alinejad and forcibly return her to Iran. James Fanelli, WSJ, 31 July 2022 Prosecutors said Ethridge arranged for Jerry Banks, 34, of Fort Garland, Colorado, to kidnap and then kill Davis. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 25 July 2022 Mexico is fraught with danger, particularly from organized criminal groups that are known to kidnap migrants and hold them for ransom, often paid by relatives in the United States. New York Times, 11 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
probably back-formation from kidnapper, from kid + obsolete napper thief
First Known Use
1682, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
kidnap
verb
kid·nap ˈkid-ˌnap
kidnapped
-ˌnapt
; kidnapping : to carry away a person by force or by fraud and against his or her will
Legal Definition
kidnap
transitive verb
kid·nap ˈkid-ˌnap
kidnapped or kidnaped -ˌnapt ; kidnapping or kidnaping
; kidnapping or kidnaping -ˌna-piŋ
: to seize and confine or carry away by force or fraud and often with a demand for ransom
kidnapper
noun
variants also kidnaper
as in abductor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- abductor
- carjacker
- hijacker
- pickpocket
- shoplifter
- pilferer
- skyjacker
- looter
- smuggler
- ravisher
- cutpurse
- plunderer
- pillager
- bandit
- rustler
- pirate
- kleptomaniac
- highwayman
- sneak thief
- embezzler
- burglar
- klepto
- housebreaker
- ransacker
- footpad
- grafter
- despoiler
- poacher
- safecracker
- cracksman
- cat burglar
- picklock
- dip
- mugger
