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
At the same time, Katie gets abducted by a mysterious neighbor (Hayat Kamille), who lures her in with her favorite chocolates.
—
Gregory Nussen, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
The former FedEx driver abducted and killed Athena on Nov. 30, 2022, while delivering a package to her rural Wise County home.
—Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Apr. 2026
Any hopes that 2026 would provide stabilization, either economically or geopolitically, were dashed with US attack on Venezuela to abduct President Nicolás Maduro on January 3 and, eight weeks later, the launching of the current war with Iran.
—Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
For more than two and a half years after her disappearance, police searched for her, not knowing she had been murdered the same day she was abducted.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abduct
Gregory Nussen, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
The former FedEx driver abducted and killed Athena on Nov. 30, 2022, while delivering a package to her rural Wise County home.
—Amy McDaniel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Apr. 2026
Any hopes that 2026 would provide stabilization, either economically or geopolitically, were dashed with US attack on Venezuela to abduct President Nicolás Maduro on January 3 and, eight weeks later, the launching of the current war with Iran.
—Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 15 Apr. 2026
For more than two and a half years after her disappearance, police searched for her, not knowing she had been murdered the same day she was abducted.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 12 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abduct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abduct
kidnap
Verb
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To elevate Rocha Moya in the 2021 election, the indictment alleges, says the Chapitos manipulated ballots and kidnapped and intimidated his opponents.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
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The Chapitos helped Rocha Moya, who has been governor since November 2021, get elected by stealing ballots, as well as kidnapping and intimidating opponents, the document said.—
Tom Winter,
NBC news,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abduct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abduct. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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