kidnappees
Seized against will
Kidnappees are people who have been kidnapped—victims of abduction.
The word is the passive counterpart to kidnappers, formed by adding the -ee suffix that marks the recipient of an action: The kidnappees were held for three days before police located them.
The term appears mainly in legal, journalistic, or academic contexts.
Captive held as security
- prisonerConfined criminal detainee
- detaineePerson held in custody
- confinedKept within bounds
- imprisonedHeld in custody
restrained · held · shackled · chained · caged · isolated · incarcerated · bound
Not present, whereabouts unknown
- searchAct of seeking
- disappearanceAct of going missing
- detectiveProfessional crime investigator
- policeCivil law enforcement
FBI · Interpol · evidence · witness · trail · clue · case · tip
One harmed by another
- frightenedExperiencing sudden fear
- terrifiedExtremely frightened
- helplessUnable to act independently
- vulnerableOpen to attack
traumatized · scarred · survivor · psychological · PTSD · recovery · therapy · ordeal
Forceful request or requirement
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- paymentFulfilling a financial obligation
- extortionObtaining through threats
- releaseTo let go
deadline · exchange · drop-off · sum · unharmed · contact · instructions · intermediary
hostage
Captive held as security
imprisoned · restrained · held · shackled · chained · caged · isolated · incarcerated · bound · locked
missing
Not present, whereabouts unknown
- searchAct of seeking
- disappearanceAct of going missing
- detectiveProfessional crime investigator
police · FBI · Interpol · evidence · witness · trail · clue · case · tip · surveillance
victim
One harmed by another
- frightenedExperiencing sudden fear
- terrifiedExtremely frightened
- helplessUnable to act independently
vulnerable · traumatized · scarred · survivor · psychological · PTSD · recovery · therapy · ordeal · nightmare
demand
Forceful request or requirement
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- paymentFulfilling a financial obligation
- extortionObtaining through threats
release · deadline · exchange · drop-off · sum · unharmed · contact · instructions · intermediary · compliance
freed
Released from confinement
released · reunited · safe · extraction · operation · raid · negotiator · found · returned · survivors
kidnappeeskidnappers
People who seize others
captors · abductors · hostage-takers · rescuers · snatchers