abducted; abducting; abducts
1
: to seize and take away (a person) by force
The girl was abducted by kidnappers.
2
: to draw or spread away (a part of the body, such as a limb or the fingers) from a position near or parallel to the median axis of the body or from the axis of a limb
a muscle that abducts the arm
Examples of abduct in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The development marks a significant shift from the assumptions that guided the early investigation, which for years centered on the possibility Plante had been abducted.
—
Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026
In January 2025, a gang in France abducted a crypto firm’s co-founder and his wife, cut off one of the man’s fingers, and held the pair ransom under demands for funds from the company.
—Megan Cassidy, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
That war was triggered when the Mad King’s son, Rhaegar Targaryen, seemingly abducted Lyanna Stark, who was betrothed to Robert Baratheon.
—Ryan Brennan
april 3, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
The whole conflict was triggered when the Mad King’s son, Rhaegar Targaryen (Wilf Scolding), seemingly abducted Lyanna Stark (Aisling Franciosi), who was betrothed to Robert Baratheon.
—Ryan Brennan
april 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abduct
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026
In January 2025, a gang in France abducted a crypto firm’s co-founder and his wife, cut off one of the man’s fingers, and held the pair ransom under demands for funds from the company.
—Megan Cassidy, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
That war was triggered when the Mad King’s son, Rhaegar Targaryen, seemingly abducted Lyanna Stark, who was betrothed to Robert Baratheon.
—Ryan Brennan
april 3, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
The whole conflict was triggered when the Mad King’s son, Rhaegar Targaryen (Wilf Scolding), seemingly abducted Lyanna Stark (Aisling Franciosi), who was betrothed to Robert Baratheon.
—Ryan Brennan
april 3, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abduct
Cite this Entry
“Abduct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abduct. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
abduct
verb
ab·duct
ab-ˈdəkt 
1
: to carry (a person) off by force
2
: to draw (a part of the body) away from a middle plane or line that divides the body or a bodily part into right and left halves
abduction
noun
-ˈdək-shən
Medical Definition
abduct
transitive verb
ab·duct
ab-ˈdəkt, əb- also ˈab-ˌ
: to draw away (as a limb) from a position near or parallel to the median axis of the body
the peroneus longus extends, abducts, and everts the foot—C. R. Bardeen
C. R. Bardeen
also
: to move (similar parts) apart
abduct adjoining fingers
Legal Definition
abduct
transitive verb
ab·duct
ab-ˈdəkt, əb-
: to carry or lead (a person) away by threat or use of force or often by fraud
also
: to restrain or conceal (a person) for the purpose of preventing escape or rescue see also kidnapping
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
