kidnap

verb
UK: /ˈkɪdnæp/
US: /ˈkɪdnæp/

  1. To take someone away using force and hold them illegally, usually in order to demand money for their return

    1. The criminals tried to kidnap the businessman.
    2. They planned to kidnap the celebrity's child for a large ransom.

  2. To seize or abduct someone, often with the intent of holding them for ransom or other unlawful purposes

    1. The gang hoped to kidnap the heir.
    2. Organized crime syndicates sometimes kidnap rivals to gain leverage.

Synonyms

snatch seize carry off capture abduct
kidnap noun

  1. An act of taking someone away using force and holding them illegally

    1. The kidnap was on the news.
    2. Police are investigating the kidnap of the local politician's son.

  2. The act or crime of seizing and detaining a person unlawfully and often for ransom

    1. The ransom demand confirmed the kidnap.
    2. The authorities are treating the disappearance as a possible kidnap.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "kidnap" in English means: To take someone away using force and hold them illegally, usually in order to demand money for their return, To seize or abduct someone, often with the intent of holding them for ransom or other unlawful purposes.

The phonetic transcription of "kidnap" is /ˈkɪdnæp/ in British English and /ˈkɪdnæp/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "kidnap": snatch, seize, carry off, capture, abduct.

Example usage of "kidnap": "The criminals tried to kidnap the businessman.". More examples on the page.