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.
kidnapping
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present participleof kidnap.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
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a word derived from
kidnap.
kidnapverb (used with object)to steal, carry off, or abduct by force or fraud, especially for use as a hostage or to extract ransom.
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.
Scott had already finished shooting his thriller about the 1973 kidnapping of teenaged J. Paul Getty III when sexual misconduct allegations surfaced against Kevin Spacey, whom he’d cast as oil billionaire J. Paul Getty.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026
Within days of Rideout's kidnapping, the US warned its citizens against travelling to Niger due to an "increased risk of terrorism, crime and civil unrest".
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
Unlike Simpson’s case, which ended in acquittals, the kidnapping attracted a new generation of amateur sleuths, livestreaming hours of content, conjecture and rumor each day to hundreds of thousands of online followers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026
They also brought to light a broader conspiracy, starting with the twist that this wasn’t Chris’ first kidnapping.
From Salon ● Aug. 1, 2026
“No. This is not the commander. This is Foaly, the centaur. Is that the kidnapping lowlife human?”
From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer
