kidnap

American  

[kid-nap] / ˈkɪd næp /

verb (used with object)

kidnapped, kidnaped, kidnapping, kidnaping

1. to steal, carry off, or abduct by force or fraud, especially for use as a hostage or to extract ransom.

   Synonyms:

   seize

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kidnap British  

/ ˈkɪdnæp /

verb

1. (tr) to carry off and hold (a person), usually for ransom

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Other Word Forms

• kidnapee noun
• kidnaper noun
• kidnappee noun
• kidnapper noun
• kidnapping noun
• unkidnaped adjective
• unkidnapped adjective

Etymology

Origin of kidnap

1675–85; kid ¹ + nap, variant of nab

Explanation

To kidnap is to steal a person, or to hold someone as a prisoner until a ransom is paid. The original meaning of kidnap, dating from the late seventeenth century, was "steal children to provide servants to the American colonies," from kid, "child," and nap, "snatch away." After the particularly notorious Lindberg baby kidnapping in 1932, the U.S. Congress passed a law allowing the FBI to investigate all kidnappings. Today the word kidnap includes all abductions, of both children and adults.

Example Sentences

"I thought they were going to kidnap us. I ran to a taco stand to take cover with the people there," Medina told AFP.

From Barron's • Feb. 22, 2026

At the same time, bald eagles were rumored to sometimes kidnap human babies and fly away with them in their talons.

From Slate • Feb. 21, 2026

Beijing would seek to extradite or kidnap him if he were deported to a third country.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 28, 2026

When Bin Salman first came to prominence as Saudi defense minister in 2015, he espoused a pugilistic foreign policy that saw him launch the unsuccessful offensive on the Houthis and kidnap Lebanon’s prime minister.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 20, 2026

Finch says, “I didn’t kidnap her, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

From "All The Bright Places" by Jennifer Niven

Related Words

• capture
• hijack
• seize
• snatch
• steal