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
The film focuses on Merry, the first witch born on Christmas Day, who must defeat a coven of evil witches that has kidnapped Santa Claus in a bid to destroy Christmas. — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026 The following year, two Japanese men were reportedly kidnapped from his van, in separate incidents. — Ben Taub, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 World’s Most Evil Prisoners takes a look at offenders doing life sentences, who go on to torture, kidnap and even kill while inside. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2026 More than 50 others were kidnapped, including women and children. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 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 14 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

Transitive verb

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

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