kidnap

verb

kid·​nap ˈkid-ˌnap How to pronounce kidnap (audio)
kidnapped also kidnaped ˈkid-ˌnapt How to pronounce kidnap (audio) ; 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
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 Barbara Mae Tucker, a 19-year-old college student, was kidnapped and killed on Jan. 15, 1980, in Gresham, Ore., the Multnomah District Attorney’s Office said in a press release. Liam Quinn, Peoplemag, 19 Mar. 2024 Hamas has also refused the ICRC’s requests to visit Israelis kidnapped by the group on Oct. 7. Miriam Berger, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024 The series, from Bridge of Spies and Treason writer Matt Charman, focuses on an international summit between the two leaders that goes sideways when Dalton’s husband is kidnapped and Toussaint is blackmailed. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2024 In 2021, at least 140 students were kidnapped by armed men from a private secondary school. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2024 In early September, Gordon kidnapped yet another victim in an attempted to evade arrest, authorities said. James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Mar. 2024 But Babagana Zulum, the governor of Borno State, warned that the numbers might be inflated, saying some of those reported kidnapped could have gone willingly, even to join the militants. Ruth MacLean, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024 The jihadi terrorist movement kidnapped more than 240 people and transported them to the Gaza Strip. Benjamin Weinthal, Fox News, 6 Mar. 2024 Hamas regularly cites protecting al-Aqsa as a justification for its attacks, including the Oct. 7 raid on Israeli towns, where fighters killed around 1,200 people, Israeli authorities say, and kidnapped 253 others. Sufian Taha, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024

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.

Word History

Etymology

probably back-formation from kidnapper, from kid + obsolete napper thief

First Known Use

1682, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kidnap was in 1682

Dictionary Entries Near kidnap

Cite this Entry

“Kidnap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kidnap. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

kidnap

verb
kid·​nap ˈkid-ˌnap How to pronounce kidnap (audio)
kidnapped also kidnaped -ˌnapt How to pronounce kidnap (audio) ; kidnapping also kidnaping
-ˌnap-iŋ
: to carry away a person by unlawful force or by fraud and against his or her will
kidnapper noun
also kidnaper
-ˌnap-ər

Legal Definition

kidnap

transitive verb
kid·​nap ˈkid-ˌnap How to pronounce kidnap (audio)
kidnapped or kidnaped -ˌnapt How to pronounce kidnap (audio) ; 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
or kidnaper
-ˌna-pər
Etymology

probably back-formation from kidnapper, from kid child + obsolete napper thief

More from Merriam-Webster on kidnap

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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