kidnap
Take by force
To kidnap is to seize and hold someone against their will, typically for ransom, political leverage, or other criminal purposes.
The victim is usually taken to a hidden location: The rebels kidnapped three aid workers.
Kidnapping can also describe taking someone through deception rather than force.
The word applies whether the victim is a child or adult, though child abduction by a parent in custody disputes occupies a legal gray area.
Rapid forceful taking
seize · take · apprehend · shanghai · waylay · spirit away · carry off · whisk away
Captive held as security
- captiveOne held by force
- prisonerConfined criminal detainee
- detaineePerson held in custody
- confinementState of being restricted
imprisonment · held · custody · isolation · locked · chains · basement · safehouse
Forceful request or requirement
- paymentFulfilling a financial obligation
- moneyCurrency for transactions
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
release · deadline · ultimatum · drop-off · cash · wire transfer · cryptocurrency · untraceable
Serious criminal offense
- criminalPerson who breaks laws
- unlawfulForbidden by statute
- illegalForbidden by statute
- perpetratorOne who commits wrongdoing
culprit · offender · fugitive · conspiracy · accomplice · mastermind · syndicate · trafficking
Strength or compulsion
- threatenPromise harm or punishment
- intimidateInstill fear to control
- manipulateControl through clever influence
- overpowerDefeat by superior force
restrain · subdue · gag · bind · handcuff · shackle · tied up · duct tape
Person before puberty
- adultMature person, legally responsible
- touristTraveler visiting attractions
- executiveSenior organizational leader
- businessmanCommercial enterprise operator
heiress · politician · diplomat · journalist · aid worker · wealthy · target · vulnerable
snatch
Rapid forceful taking
grab · seize · take · apprehend · shanghai · waylay · spirit away · carry off · whisk away · snare
hostage
Captive held as security
confinement · imprisonment · held · custody · isolation · locked · chains · basement · safehouse · hideout
demand
Forceful request or requirement
- paymentFulfilling a financial obligation
- moneyCurrency for transactions
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
negotiation · release · deadline · ultimatum · drop-off · cash · wire transfer · cryptocurrency · untraceable · proof of life
felony
Serious criminal offense
perpetrator · culprit · offender · fugitive · conspiracy · accomplice · mastermind · syndicate · trafficking · organized crime
force
Strength or compulsion
- threatenPromise harm or punishment
- intimidateInstill fear to control
- manipulateControl through clever influence
overpower · restrain · subdue · gag · bind · handcuff · shackle · tied up · duct tape · struggle
child
Person before puberty
- adultMature person, legally responsible
- touristTraveler visiting attractions
- executiveSenior organizational leader
businessman · heiress · politician · diplomat · journalist · aid worker · wealthy · target · vulnerable · random
search
Act of seeking
trace · save · free · liberate · escape · survivor · reunite · safe · SWAT · raid
kidnapreturn
Go back again
restore · release · bring back · relinquish · give back
- parental kidnappingParent unlawfully takes own child
- kidnap victimOne forcibly taken
- kidnapping victimOne forcibly taken prisoner
- kidnapping ringCriminal enterprise seizing people
- kidnapping plotConspiracy to abduct someone
- attempted kidnappingUnsuccessful forcible taking