kidnapped
Seized for ransom
Kidnapped is the past tense of kidnap—to seize and hold someone against their will, typically for ransom or other criminal purpose.
The spelling with double p (kidnapped) is standard in British English; American English accepts both kidnapped and kidnaped, though the double p predominates.
She was kidnapped from her home and held for three days.
Took suddenly, forcefully
- snatchedTook quickly, abruptly
- takenOccupied or seized
- grabbedTook suddenly by hand
- abductedTaken by force
captured · spirited away · stolen · dragged · forced · plucked · extracted · ambushed
Captive held as security
- prisonerConfined criminal detainee
- captiveOne held by force
- detainedHeld against one's will
- heldKept in grasp
confined · locked up · chained · caged · trapped · sequestered · isolated · incarcerated
Forceful request or requirement
- paymentFulfilling a financial obligation
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
- deadlineTime limit for completion
ultimatum · ransom note · proof of life · wire transfer · untraceable · cash · drop-off · negotiator
Serious criminal offense
- abductionUnlawful seizure of person
- illegalForbidden by statute
- unlawfulForbidden by statute
- criminalPerson who breaks laws
perpetrator · culprit · offense · syndicate · trafficking · organized crime · smuggling · cartel
Act of going missing
- vanishedDisappeared from sight
- searchAct of seeking
- manhuntSearch for a suspect
- investigationFormal examination of facts
missing person · whereabouts · last seen · trace · lead · tip · sighting · flyer
Extreme, overwhelming fear
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
- traumaLasting psychological wound
- nightmareFrightening dream causing wakefulness
- helplessnessLacking ability to cope
desperation · anguish · ordeal · suffering · survival · psychological · PTSD · haunted
seized
Took suddenly, forcefully
abducted · captured · spirited away · stolen · dragged · forced · plucked · extracted · ambushed · lured
hostage
Captive held as security
held · confined · locked up · chained · caged · trapped · sequestered · isolated · incarcerated · cell
demand
Forceful request or requirement
- paymentFulfilling a financial obligation
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
deadline · ultimatum · ransom note · proof of life · wire transfer · untraceable · cash · drop-off · negotiator · intermediary
felony
Serious criminal offense
criminal · perpetrator · culprit · offense · syndicate · trafficking · organized crime · smuggling · cartel · ring
disappearance
Act of going missing
investigation · missing person · whereabouts · last seen · trace · lead · tip · sighting · flyer · poster
terror
Extreme, overwhelming fear
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
- traumaLasting psychological wound
- nightmareFrightening dream causing wakefulness
helplessness · desperation · anguish · ordeal · suffering · survival · psychological · PTSD · haunted · scarred
- wrongedabused, mistreated, victimized, exploited, oppressed
- captivitycaptive, prisoner, detained, imprisoned, incarcerated
- Missingmissing, vanished, disappeared, lost, gone
- gonegone, absent, away, departed, missing
- possessionowned, acquired, possessed, kept, retained
kidnappedvolunteered
Gave services unpaid
accompanied · escorted · invited · welcomed
- parental kidnappingParent unlawfully takes own child
- kidnapping victimOne forcibly taken prisoner
- kidnapping ringCriminal enterprise seizing people
- kidnapping plotConspiracy to abduct someone
- attempted kidnappingUnsuccessful forcible taking
- kidnapping storyNarrative about forcible seizure