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
Jackson, 29, and Rogers-Keeney, 19, have been charged with several offenses including kidnapping a minor, rape, involuntary servitude and strangulation, according to online court records reviewed by PEOPLE.
—
Samira Asma-Sadeque, Peoplemag, 26 June 2024
According to the movie’s synopsis, after Santa Claus is kidnapped an E.L.F. Task Force Commander teams up with a bounty hunter for a mission to save Christmas.
—Marianne Garvey, CNN, 26 June 2024
Ramiro Gonzales, 41, is set to be executed Wednesday for the death of 18-year-old Bridget Townsend, who was kidnapped, raped and fatally shot on Jan. 14, 2001, at a ranch in Bandera, a small town in Texas Hill Country about 40 miles northwest of San Antonio.
—Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 25 June 2024
One of her pieces, a look at a ring of privileged bullies who would kidnap fellow students, drive them around for hours and shave off their hair, inspired fierce blowback: The front gates of her house were spray-painted with obscene messages.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for kidnap 
Samira Asma-Sadeque, Peoplemag, 26 June 2024
According to the movie’s synopsis, after Santa Claus is kidnapped an E.L.F. Task Force Commander teams up with a bounty hunter for a mission to save Christmas.
—Marianne Garvey, CNN, 26 June 2024
Ramiro Gonzales, 41, is set to be executed Wednesday for the death of 18-year-old Bridget Townsend, who was kidnapped, raped and fatally shot on Jan. 14, 2001, at a ranch in Bandera, a small town in Texas Hill Country about 40 miles northwest of San Antonio.
—Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 25 June 2024
One of her pieces, a look at a ring of privileged bullies who would kidnap fellow students, drive them around for hours and shave off their hair, inspired fierce blowback: The front gates of her house were spray-painted with obscene messages.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for kidnap
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'kidnap.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Kidnap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kidnap. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Legal Definition
Etymology
probably back-formation from kidnapper, from kid child + obsolete napper thief
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