kidnap
verb (used with object)
to steal, carry off, or abduct by force or fraud, especially for use as a hostage or to extract ransom.
had kidnapped
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past perfectof kidnap.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Its agents in 1960 had kidnapped Nazi Adolf Eichmann in Argentina and spirited him back to Israel for trial.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 12, 2025
The US embassy in Yemen said the Houthis had "kidnapped many surviving crew members" and called for their immediate release.
From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2025
The United Nations did not say who had kidnapped the five security personnel.
From Reuters ● Aug. 11, 2023
Among the accusations against Burkett: Prosecutors say he lied to a 911 dispatcher to report that the mother had kidnapped the girl, and falsely accused the woman of putting the child in danger.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 17, 2023
Why would anybody want to think that Bigger had kidnapped Mary?
From "Native Son" by Richard Wright
