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
The dynamic between Callum and tracker Jack O’Malley (Chris Evans), meanwhile, is your classic buddy-cop back-and-forth, with the gruff Callum slowly warming to the disreputable criminal he’s forced to partner up with when Santa gets kidnapped two days before Christmas.
—
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
The woman who kidnapped her and renamed her Aaliyah, Carolyn Correa, isn’t featured in the three-episode documentary.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024
After the creature kidnaps a young girl, her family sets out to rescue her, leading to an unpredictable adventure.
—Clark Collis, EW.com, 30 Oct. 2024
More than 43,000 people have been killed in the Israeli military's yearlong assault on the enclave, according to local officials, launched after Hamas' Oct. 7 terror attack in which Israeli officials say 1,200 people were killed and another 250 were kidnapped.
—Alexander Smith, NBC News, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for kidnap 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
The woman who kidnapped her and renamed her Aaliyah, Carolyn Correa, isn’t featured in the three-episode documentary.
—Marta Balaga, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024
After the creature kidnaps a young girl, her family sets out to rescue her, leading to an unpredictable adventure.
—Clark Collis, EW.com, 30 Oct. 2024
More than 43,000 people have been killed in the Israeli military's yearlong assault on the enclave, according to local officials, launched after Hamas' Oct. 7 terror attack in which Israeli officials say 1,200 people were killed and another 250 were kidnapped.
—Alexander Smith, NBC News, 29 Oct. 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 21 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Legal Definition
Etymology
probably back-formation from kidnapper, from kid child + obsolete napper thief
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share