kidnap
/ˈkɪdnap
/verb (kidnaps, kidnapping, kidnapped; US also kidnaps, kidnaping, kidnaped) [with object]
Abduct (someone) and hold them captive, typically to obtain a ransom: militants kidnapped the daughter of a minister...
- His brother abroad collected a ransom thinking he was kidnapped by petty criminals.
- She turned on the TV, and watched as old men discussed the events of the ‘Kidnapper’, a nickname given to a criminal who kidnaps women.
- Special refugee camps to prevent children being kidnapped by criminal gangs are to be set up.
Synonyms
abduct, carry off, capture, seize, snatch, hold to ransom, take as hostage, hijack;
run off/away with
informal nobble, shanghai
noun [mass noun]
The action of kidnapping someone: they were arrested for robbery and kidnap...
- He pleaded guilty to three robberies, kidnap and one offence of aggravated burglary.
- At the same time, you want us to deal with terror, with murder, with kidnap, with rape.
- Not a day passes without reports of mugging, murder, dacoity, extortion and kidnap making it to the front page.
Origin
Late 17th century: back-formation from kidnapper, from kid1 + slang nap 'nab, seize'.