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
Romi Gonen, 24 Gonen was kidnapped from the Nova festival.
—
Npr Staff, NPR, 19 Jan. 2025
Steinbrecher was kidnapped from her apartment and her family raised concerns about her health and access to daily medication when in captivity, CNN reported.
—Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 19 Jan. 2025
After Hamas committed the most disastrous attack in Israel’s history on his watch, killing 1,200 people and kidnapping some 250 more, his public standing looked ruined.
—Dahlia Scheindlin / Tel Aviv, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025
On a far wall is an array of photos of those who died and those kidnapped.
—Karen-Janine Cohen, Sun Sentinel, 16 Jan. 2025
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.
Npr Staff, NPR, 19 Jan. 2025
Steinbrecher was kidnapped from her apartment and her family raised concerns about her health and access to daily medication when in captivity, CNN reported.
—Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 19 Jan. 2025
After Hamas committed the most disastrous attack in Israel’s history on his watch, killing 1,200 people and kidnapping some 250 more, his public standing looked ruined.
—Dahlia Scheindlin / Tel Aviv, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025
On a far wall is an array of photos of those who died and those kidnapped.
—Karen-Janine Cohen, Sun Sentinel, 16 Jan. 2025
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 23 Jan. 2025.
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