19 Other Ways to Say KIDNAP | Kidnap Synonyms (Examples)

Kidnap is a word that often comes up in crime stories, movies, or news articles. You might hear other words like abduct, snatch, seize, or capture used in the same way. Each synonym has its own vibe and context, and some feel more dramatic while others sound more casual. In this article, we'll explore 19 great alternatives for "kidnap" and show how to use them naturally.

19 Different Ways to Say KIDNAP: Another Word for Kidnap

Abduct

Abduct is a strong synonym for kidnap and is often used in legal or news contexts. It implies taking someone away by force or trickery, usually against their will. This word works well when you want to sound serious or formal, like in police reports. Abduct can apply to children, adults, or even animals in certain contexts. It also carries a clear sense of wrongdoing and danger. You'll often see it in stories where the criminal act is central to the plot. Using abduct can make your writing feel precise and impactful.

• The criminal tried to abduct the child near the park.
• She reported that a stranger had attempted to abduct her friend.
• The authorities were on high alert after the man was accused of abducting several pets.

Snatch

Snatch feels a bit quicker and more casual than abduct. It's like taking someone or something suddenly and without warning. You'd use snatch in stories where speed and surprise matter. Snatch can sound dramatic in a fun way, like in an action movie or comic book scene. It also works when you want to describe a tense moment without going too heavy on crime language. Sometimes, snatch is used metaphorically, too, like "snatching victory."

• The thief tried to snatch the purse from her hand.
• He snatched the little boy before anyone could stop him.
• They snatched the documents and ran out quickly.

Seize

Seize has a formal tone and can feel legal or official. It's about taking control over someone or something, often suddenly. Seize works well when you want to show authority or power in the act. You might hear it in law enforcement contexts, like police seizing a suspect. It also implies a kind of urgency, like acting fast before it's too late. Seize can be a strong word to describe a tense, important moment in a story.

• The police seized the suspect on the street.
• He tried to seize the child from the stranger.
• They seized the opportunity to take control of the situation.

Capture

Capture is a versatile word that can describe both taking someone physically and metaphorically. It fits well in stories about crime, adventure, or even fantasy. Capture can sound less violent than kidnap, depending on context. It's useful when you want your story to feel intense without being too graphic. Capture can also suggest strategy or planning, like capturing someone's attention. It works in news reports, novels, or everyday storytelling.

• The soldiers captured the enemy officer.
• The detective captured the runaway teenager safely.
• She managed to capture the thief before he escaped.

Hijack

Hijack usually refers to taking control of a vehicle, but it can extend to people or events in certain contexts. It's dramatic and grabs attention. Hijack works well in action-packed writing or when you want to describe a sudden, forceful act. It's not always literal, either; you might hear it in expressions like "hijacking a meeting." The word carries tension and urgency, making it perfect for storytelling.

• The criminals hijacked the bus and demanded ransom.
• Someone tried to hijack the plane mid-flight.
• He felt like his presentation was hijacked by technical problems.

Steal

Steal is casual and familiar, often used for objects but sometimes for people in dramatic or playful contexts. It's less formal than abduct or seize. Steal gives a sneaky, sudden vibe. It works well in stories where you want to imply wrongdoing without sounding too harsh. You can also use it metaphorically, like stealing hearts or moments.

• He tried to steal the child from the playground.
• The stranger stole the dog and ran off.
• They attempted to steal the treasure from the cave.

Take

Take is simple and versatile. It can describe kidnap without sounding heavy. Take works in casual conversations, stories, or news when you want to keep language plain. It's flexible enough for many contexts but might need extra words to clarify force or intent. You can use it in suspenseful scenes or everyday talk.

• He took the child from the yard.
• They took her away without warning.
• The man took the documents from the office.

Carry Off

Carry off suggests removing someone from one place to another, usually by force. It's descriptive and slightly old-fashioned, giving a story a dramatic flair. Carry off works well in fiction, especially historical or adventure contexts. It often implies quick movement and tension, making scenes more vivid. Using carry off adds action and urgency to your writing.

• The pirates carried off the villagers.
• She was carried off by the crowd in excitement.
• He carried off the stolen jewels without anyone noticing.

Make Away With

Make away with is a phrase that implies disappearing with someone or something quickly. It's informal but still dramatic. You'd use it in stories, reports, or even playful conversations. The phrase emphasizes the act of removal and secrecy. It can also add suspense or humor depending on tone.

• The criminals made away with the child.
• Someone made away with my lunch again.
• He made away with the evidence before the cops arrived.

Spirit Away

Spirit away has a poetic, almost magical feel. It's often used in stories to describe someone being taken secretly or mysteriously. The phrase works well in fiction, fantasy, or whimsical contexts. It suggests quietness, stealth, and a touch of wonder. Spirit away adds a storytelling flair that regular synonyms might lack.

• The old woman's grandson was spirited away by strangers.
• The magician spirited away the rabbit during the show.
• They tried to spirit away the documents without alerting anyone.

Bundle Off

Bundle off sounds casual and a bit playful, though it still implies force. It works in storytelling to convey sudden removal without sounding too heavy. The phrase often suggests speed and a bit of chaos. Bundle off can make a tense situation feel more lively or cinematic.

• The kids were bundled off to safety during the fire.
• He was bundled off to the police station.
• The thief bundled off the package quickly.

Snag

Snag is casual and implies grabbing someone quickly, often unexpectedly. It's less formal and can even feel slightly playful. Snag works for stories or casual reporting. It suggests suddenness and sometimes luck. Snag can be used metaphorically too, like snagging a moment or an opportunity.

• The thief snagged the child from the yard.
• She snagged the last ticket to the concert.
• He snagged the report before anyone else saw it.

Hook

Hook is informal and suggests capturing or pulling someone in. It works in casual storytelling and can be playful or dramatic. Hook gives a sense of being caught unexpectedly. It can also describe catching attention or interest metaphorically. Using hook can make a scene feel lively and immediate.

• The stranger hooked the child and ran.
• He hooked the package off the shelf.
• She hooked the attention of everyone in the room.

Capture Alive

Capture alive emphasizes taking someone without harming them. It's often used in legal, police, or fantasy contexts. It implies careful planning and restraint. Capture alive works when you want tension but also a sense of responsibility or strategy. It's more precise than kidnap and can add clarity to a story.

• The officer captured the suspect alive.
• They captured the villain alive for questioning.
• He captured the escaped pet alive and returned it.

Sequester

Sequester means to isolate or hide someone, often forcibly. It's formal and serious, often used in legal or historical contexts. Sequester works well for writing that wants to emphasize secrecy and control. It's less common, so it can make your writing feel thoughtful or sophisticated.

• The kidnappers sequestered the child in a hidden cabin.
• The witnesses were sequestered to protect them.
• They sequestered the rare manuscript in a secure vault.

Hold Captive

Hold captive clearly describes keeping someone against their will. It's straightforward and dramatic. The phrase works in crime, news, and fiction contexts. It emphasizes restriction and control. Hold captive can be paired with descriptions of location or conditions to increase tension.

• The man was held captive for ransom.
• They held the animal captive in a small cage.
• She was held captive in the abandoned house.

Take Prisoner

Take prisoner is often used in historical, military, or dramatic contexts. It implies capturing someone during conflict or crime. The phrase works well in stories with strategy, tension, or action. Take prisoner emphasizes authority and control, giving writing a vivid sense of the situation.

• The soldiers took the enemy commander prisoner.
• Pirates took the travelers prisoner on the ship.
• They took the intruder prisoner after he was caught.

Snag Away

Snag away is informal and emphasizes sudden removal, often unexpectedly. It's playful yet dramatic and works in casual storytelling. The phrase highlights speed and surprise. Snag away can make tense situations feel dynamic without sounding too formal or heavy.

• He snagged away the letter before anyone noticed.
• The thief snagged away the valuable painting.
• They snagged away the lost puppy from the street.

Filch

Filch is light and informal, often used for stealing small things but sometimes applied to people in playful or storytelling ways. It suggests sneakiness and stealth. Filch works for fiction or casual descriptions where you want a mischievous tone. It's a creative, less serious alternative to kidnap.

• The villain filched the child from the party.
• She filched the cookies from the jar quietly.
• He filched the notes before the teacher could see.

Final Thoughts

I hope this list gives you plenty of ways to say kidnap without repeating yourself. Each synonym has its own vibe and context, so you can match the word to the story, news report, or conversation. Using these alternatives makes your writing richer and more precise. Next time you write about someone being taken, you'll have options to make the scene dramatic, casual, or even playful. It's fun to mix things up and explore how each word changes the feel of a sentence.