kidnap

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

Synonyms of kidnap

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Examples of kidnap in a Sentence

the child of the wealthy industrialist was kidnapped and held for ransom
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
When her sister was kidnapped and murdered by her ex-husband in 2020, Banda retreated from religion. — Jesse Bedayn, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026 The man on the line claimed a Mexican drug cartel had kidnapped her 37-year-old daughter. — Muskaan Arshad, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026 The Fort Worth woman who was kidnapped as a toddler and reunited with her family 51 years later is publicly telling her story for the first time on a seven-episode podcast series this fall. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026 More than 230 people were kidnapped and more than 1,000 females were raped. — Widlore Mérancourt, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for kidnap

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

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 27 Oct. 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

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

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