kidnapper
Takes people hostage
A kidnapper is someone who seizes and holds a person against their will, typically for ransom, political leverage, or criminal purposes.
The term applies whether the victim is a child or adult: The kidnappers demanded two million for her release.
Also spelled kidnaper.
One who takes captives
- captorOne who seizes another
- snatcherOne who seizes quickly
- perpetratorOne who commits wrongdoing
- felonSerious crime perpetrator
offender · culprit · extortionist · fugitive · outlaw · lawbreaker · convict · accomplice
Captive held as security
- captiveOne held by force
- prisonerConfined criminal detainee
- targetObject of pursuit
- childPerson before puberty
missing person · abductee · detainee · survivor · family · loved ones · dependents · vulnerable
Formal examination of facts
- manhuntSearch for a suspect
- searchAct of seeking
- rescueSave from harm
- FBIU.S. domestic intelligence agency
police · task force · tip line · profiler · detective · evidence · witness · breakthrough
Unlawful seizure of person
- snatchingSeizing quickly, abruptly
- seizureForcible taking or convulsion
- captureTake into custody
- confinementState of being restricted
detention · restraint · blindfold · gag · binding · van · hideout · safehouse
Forceful request or requirement
- paymentFulfilling a financial obligation
- extortionObtaining through threats
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
- exchangeMutual giving and receiving
release · sum · ultimatum · deadline · payoff · settlement · terms · proof of life
abductor
One who takes captives
- captorOne who seizes another
- snatcherOne who seizes quickly
- perpetratorOne who commits wrongdoing
felon · offender · culprit · extortionist · fugitive · outlaw · lawbreaker · convict · accomplice · mastermind
hostage
Captive held as security
child · missing person · abductee · detainee · survivor · family · loved ones · dependents · vulnerable · prey
investigation
Formal examination of facts
FBI · police · task force · tip line · profiler · detective · evidence · witness · breakthrough · arrest
abduction
Unlawful seizure of person
confinement · detention · restraint · blindfold · gag · binding · van · hideout · safehouse · surveillance
demand
Forceful request or requirement
- paymentFulfilling a financial obligation
- extortionObtaining through threats
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
exchange · release · sum · ultimatum · deadline · payoff · settlement · terms · proof of life · drop-off
- lawbreakersthief, robber, burglar, vandal, smuggler
- criminalsmurderer, thief, burglar, criminal, killer
- attackersaggressor, assailant, attacker, assaulter, ambusher
- kidnappersabductor, snatcher, hostage taker, captor, ransomer
- dangersdanger, peril, hazard, risk, menace
- charactersprotagonist, antagonist, hero, character, characters
kidnapperliberator
One who frees others
rescuer · releaser · emancipator · freer · redeemer
- 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