as in kidnaping
the unlawful or forcible carrying away of a person or animal discredited reports of abductions by aliens

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of abduction The country has had political violence and instability since then, with civilian deaths, abductions and displacements as recently as 2024, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 20 May 2025 Authorities investigated the case for six years and later determined that Sherri had fabricated the abduction and had been hiding out at her ex-boyfriend James Reyes' apartment in Costa Mesa, Calif. Caroline Blair, People.com, 26 May 2025 The name for this comes from the 2006 Adam Walsh Child Safety Act, enacted to prevent child abductions. Duncan Madden, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025 The other senators are immediately abuzz, and Mothma has to be smuggled out of the spherical senate chamber to avoid abduction by a turncoat. Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for abduction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abduction
rape
Noun
  • On Wednesday, the jury had yet to reach a verdict on rape in the third degree, but jurors were sent home midday amid concerns about fighting and tensions in the jury room.
    Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2025
  • Spending four days on the witness stand, Ventura accused Combs of rape as well as physical and emotional abuse.
    Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 11 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Abduction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abduction. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

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