kidnap

1 of 2

verb

kid·​nap ˈkid-ˌnap How to pronounce kidnap (audio)
kidnapped also kidnaped ˈkid-ˌnapt How to pronounce kidnap (audio) ; kidnapping also kidnaping
Synonyms of kidnapnext

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
ˌkid-ˌna-ˈpē How to pronounce kidnap (audio)
kidnapper noun
or less commonly kidnaper

kidnapper

2 of 2

noun

kid·​nap·​per
variants or kidnaper
-pə(r)
plural -s
: one that kidnaps
especially : one that abducts a child for ransom

Synonyms of kidnap

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of kidnap in a Sentence

Verb the child of the wealthy industrialist was kidnapped and held for ransom
Recent Examples on the Web
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Verb
Phillis Wheatley was kidnapped from West Africa as a child and brought to Boston aboard a slave ship. — Robin Follman, Oc Register, 4 July 2026 And the surviving cartel scoundrels take the parting shot by kidnapping beloved Carter, putting a hood on him and taking the boy off. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 3 July 2026 Niger state is also a hot spot for gunmen who kidnap for ransom and impose taxes on farming communities. — ABC News, 2 July 2026 Twenty-four children, many of whom were kidnapped, were located and safely returned home, according to the statement. — Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for kidnap

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun

kid entry 1 (child) + obsolete napper thief, from nap (to seize) + -er

First Known Use

Verb

1682, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of kidnap was in 1682

Rhymes for kidnap

See All Rhymes for kidnap

Browse Nearby Words

kidlet
kidnap
kidnappee
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Kidnap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kidnap. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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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

Transitive verb

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

More from Merriam-Webster on kidnap

Nglish: Translation of kidnap for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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