as in to kidnap
to carry away (as a person) forcibly or unlawfully
the gangsters planned to abduct the industrialist's young daughter and demand a huge ransom from her family
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Recent Examples of abduct
Media attention on the case has waned considerably since mid-February, when the sheriff and FBI released surveillance footage of an armed prowler in a ski mask shown tampering with Nancy Guthrie's doorbell camera shortly before she was abducted.
—
Jana Winter,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
The 84-year-old, who is the mom of Savannah Guthrie, is believed to have been abducted from her Arizona home in the early hours of February 1.
—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
1 July 2026
In December 1922, two Black men were abducted from the Pilot Point jail after being accused of stealing horses.
—
Kamal Morgan. Produced With Ai Assistance,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 June 2026
According to prosecutors, the victims were abducted three days after cash and luxury items, including Rolex watches and Louis Vuitton bags, were reported stolen from Arnold at an Airbnb rental in the Tampa area.
—
John Hanna,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for abduct
Jana Winter,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
The 84-year-old, who is the mom of Savannah Guthrie, is believed to have been abducted from her Arizona home in the early hours of February 1.
—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
1 July 2026
In December 1922, two Black men were abducted from the Pilot Point jail after being accused of stealing horses.
—
Kamal Morgan. Produced With Ai Assistance,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 June 2026
According to prosecutors, the victims were abducted three days after cash and luxury items, including Rolex watches and Louis Vuitton bags, were reported stolen from Arnold at an Airbnb rental in the Tampa area.
—
John Hanna,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for abduct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abduct
kidnap
Verb
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Phillis Wheatley was kidnapped from West Africa as a child and brought to Boston aboard a slave ship.
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Her existential crisis is cut short when Sherlock Holmes is kidnapped, thrusting Enola into a new mystery set in Malta.
Cite this Entry
“Abduct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abduct. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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