Definition of abductnext
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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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 abduct One of those holding out hope is kidnapping survivor Elizabeth Smart, who was abducted from her home at age 14 in 2002 and rescued nine months later. Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 24 Aug. 2026 That 2023 event saw Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups kill 1,195 Israelis and foreign nationals and abduct 251 people. Matt Donnelly, Variety, 22 Aug. 2026 Residents said scores of people were abducted, with some estimating between 60 and 80 people were kidnapped. ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026 Two girls abducted by their babysitter have been found safe, Atlanta police said Monday afternoon. Taylor Croft, AJC.com, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for abduct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abduct
kidnap
Verb
  • Tomlin, Fonda and Parton played a trio of secretaries who took revenge on their sexist boss by kidnapping him and enacting changes in the workplace in his name.
    Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Their arrival comes during a violent week in Haiti; at least 47 people were killed and more than 50 others kidnapped, according to Haitian officials.
    Nathan Lee, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Abduct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abduct. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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