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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 Police identified the suspect in the abduction as 42-year-old Marina Kazakova, the boy's mother. Tim Fang, CBS News, 1 July 2026 Earlier this month, the Nigerian army rescued more than 300 people abducted by Boko Haram from Ngoshe, a town about 114 kilometers (71 miles) from Lassa, where Monday’s abduction happened. ABC News, 30 June 2026 Since Maduro’s abduction, Venezuela has felt almost on the edge of civil war. Armando Ledezma, New Yorker, 30 June 2026 Mansfield eventually confessed to Barrett's abduction and murder after roughly two years of interviews with investigators. Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for abduction
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abduction
Noun
  • They were filled with protesters — including outraged members of a teachers’ union and relatives of kidnapping victims — as well as fans skeptical of a team that, four years earlier, posted its worst World Cup performance since 1978.
    Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
  • Razia showed up at the scene not to aid in a kidnapping, but to confront her online tormentor, Sacks maintained.
    John Annese, New York Daily News, 4 July 2026
Noun
  • The alleged rape was reported by The Athletic in May, though the identity of the player was not revealed at the time.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
  • Mendes under investigation New Zealand police are investigating allegations of rape against Cape Verde captain Ryan Mendes, who has started all three of the team’s matches in the World Cup thus far.
    Chris Branch, New York Times, 1 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Abduction.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abduction. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on abduction

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster