variants
also kidnapings
as in abductions
the unlawful or forcible carrying away of a person or animal
an alert system for the prompt reporting of juvenile kidnappings
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of kidnappings
In the '30s, when the Lindbergh baby was abducted, kidnappings and ransoms were so common that high-profile people often secured kidnapping insurance.
—
Kase Wickman, Vanity Fair, 7 Feb. 2026
Kase Wickman, Vanity Fair, 7 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kidnappings
Noun
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In the last year, there were more than 49,000 cases of abductions and kidnappings in the United States, according to FBI data.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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Kidnappings and abductions of this sort—high profile, with a possible ransom—are relatively rare in the United States; missing persons reports more often involve runaways or parental abductions in custody cases.—
Kase Wickman,
Vanity Fair,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Columbus, Ohio, saw dramatic drops in every category, including rapes, down to 678 last year from 1,116 in 2024.—
Mark Morales,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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The four rapes allegedly took place in 2018, 2023 and 2024, the last one after the police investigation began.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Kidnappings.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kidnappings. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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