hostage-taker
One holding captives
A hostage-taker is someone who seizes and holds people captive to force concessions from authorities or third parties.
The term appears in news coverage of kidnappings, hijackings, and sieges: Police negotiators established contact with the hostage-taker.
Unlike kidnapper, which emphasizes abduction, hostage-taker highlights the tactical use of captives as leverage.
One who seizes people
- abductorOne who takes captives
- captorOne who seizes another
- hijackerOne who seizes vehicles
- terroristViolent political intimidator
gunman · extremist · militant · assailant · insurgent · extortionist · ransomer · skyjacker
Forceful requests or requirements
- ransomPayment for captive's release
- ultimatumNon-negotiable final terms
- deadlineTime limit for completion
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
standoff · barricade · siege · threats · leverage · proof of life · exchange · release conditions
One held by force
- prisonerConfined criminal detainee
- detaineePerson held in custody
- confinementState of being restricted
- boundSecured or destined
restrained · blindfolded · gagged · cell · isolation · guarded · chained · zip ties
One who bargains professionally
- SWATElite police squad
- tactical teamSpecialized law enforcement unit
- sniperConcealed precision shooter
- perimeterShape's outer edge length
containment · breach · extraction · surveillance · profiler · de-escalation · intelligence · law enforcement
kidnapper
One who seizes people
terrorist · gunman · extremist · militant · assailant · insurgent · extortionist · ransomer · skyjacker · bank robber
demands
Forceful requests or requirements
- ransomPayment for captive's release
- ultimatumNon-negotiable final terms
- deadlineTime limit for completion
negotiation · standoff · barricade · siege · threats · leverage · proof of life · exchange · release conditions · communication
captive
One held by force
- prisonerConfined criminal detainee
- detaineePerson held in custody
- confinementState of being restricted
bound · restrained · blindfolded · gagged · cell · isolation · guarded · chained · zip ties · duct tape
negotiator
One who bargains professionally
- SWATElite police squad
- tactical teamSpecialized law enforcement unit
- sniperConcealed precision shooter
perimeter · containment · breach · extraction · surveillance · profiler · de-escalation · intelligence · law enforcement · special forces
hostage-takerrescuer
One who saves others
liberator · hostage negotiator · first responder · SWAT team · negotiator
take, host, taken, taking, takes, hostage, hospitality, taker, takers