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
Verb
the child of the wealthy industrialist was kidnapped and held for ransom
Recent Examples on the Web
Latoya Gayle,
PEOPLE,
6 July 2026
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
Her existential crisis is cut short when Sherlock Holmes is kidnapped, thrusting Enola into a new mystery set in Malta.
—
Hannah Abraham,
Forbes.com,
4 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
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Verb
In Enola Holmes 3, Enola seems to be getting her happy ending by marrying Lord Tewkesbury, but the plan is disrupted by news that Sherlock has been kidnapped.
—
Latoya Gayle,
PEOPLE,
6 July 2026
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
Her existential crisis is cut short when Sherlock Holmes is kidnapped, thrusting Enola into a new mystery set in Malta.
—
Hannah Abraham,
Forbes.com,
4 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
Cite this Entry
“Kidnap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kidnap. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Legal Definition
Etymology
Transitive verb
probably back-formation from kidnapper, from kid child + obsolete napper thief
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
