abduct
verb
ab·duct ab-ˈdəkt 
əb-;
sense 2 also
ˈab-ˌdəkt abducted; abducting; abducts
transitive verb
1
: to seize and take away (a person) by force
The girl was abducted by kidnappers.
2
: to draw or spread away (a part of the body, such as a limb or the fingers) from a position near or parallel to the median axis of the body or from the axis of a limb
a muscle that abducts the arm
abductor
ab-ˈdək-tər
noun 
Synonyms
- kidnap
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web But the past won’t be so easily left behind, as Ettore’s mother and brother abduct him and set him on a course of conversion therapy that includes ruinous electroshock treatment. 
Guy Lodge, Variety, 6 Sep. 2022 Whirty was convicted of trying to abduct the Newton woman, served five years in Massachusetts, then was returned to Texas to serve out the rest of his life sentence. Kevin Cullen, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Aug. 2022 Britain's statement comes amid the possibility that Russia might abduct Ukrainian mayors in the country's East and install Kremlin puppets in the latest phase of the war. Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 3 May 2022 Ukraine: Russians abduct Kherson mayor Kherson Mayor Ihor Kolykhaiev has been abducted by Russian forces that occupy the southern city of almost 300,000, a mayoral adviser said. John Bacon, USA TODAY, 28 June 2022 Dan Chappel, an Army veteran, was an FBI informant who secretly recorded hours of conversations, participated in chat groups and trained to abduct Whitmer, along with Adam Fox, Barry Croft Jr., Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta. CBS News, 21 Mar. 2022 Davila was arrested earlier on Friday after she was found with the vehicle officers suspect was used to abduct the infant, according to police. Gloria Rebecca Gomez, The Arizona Republic, 15 June 2022 The suspects also allegedly tried to abduct the baby from a local Walmart on March 28 and on the morning of the actual kidnapping, but failed both times. Paul Best, Fox News, 13 May 2022 Who would abduct him, torture him for days and toss him onto a rubbish tip? Tom Nolan, WSJ, 27 May 2022 See More
Guy Lodge, Variety, 6 Sep. 2022 Whirty was convicted of trying to abduct the Newton woman, served five years in Massachusetts, then was returned to Texas to serve out the rest of his life sentence. Kevin Cullen, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Aug. 2022 Britain's statement comes amid the possibility that Russia might abduct Ukrainian mayors in the country's East and install Kremlin puppets in the latest phase of the war. Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 3 May 2022 Ukraine: Russians abduct Kherson mayor Kherson Mayor Ihor Kolykhaiev has been abducted by Russian forces that occupy the southern city of almost 300,000, a mayoral adviser said. John Bacon, USA TODAY, 28 June 2022 Dan Chappel, an Army veteran, was an FBI informant who secretly recorded hours of conversations, participated in chat groups and trained to abduct Whitmer, along with Adam Fox, Barry Croft Jr., Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta. CBS News, 21 Mar. 2022 Davila was arrested earlier on Friday after she was found with the vehicle officers suspect was used to abduct the infant, according to police. Gloria Rebecca Gomez, The Arizona Republic, 15 June 2022 The suspects also allegedly tried to abduct the baby from a local Walmart on March 28 and on the morning of the actual kidnapping, but failed both times. Paul Best, Fox News, 13 May 2022 Who would abduct him, torture him for days and toss him onto a rubbish tip? Tom Nolan, WSJ, 27 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Medieval Latin abdūctus, past participle of abdūcere "to draw (a limb) away from the body," going back to Latin "to lead away, carry off, remove, entice away," from ab- ab- + dūcere "to lead" — more at tow entry 1
First Known Use
1765, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Kids Definition
abduct
verb
ab·duct ab-ˈdəkt
abducted; abducting
: to take a person away by force : kidnap
Medical Definition
abduct
transitive verb
ab·duct
ab-ˈdəkt, əb- also ˈab-ˌ
: to draw away (as a limb) from a position near or parallel to the median axis of the body
the peroneus longus extends, abducts, and everts the foot C. R. Bardeen
C. R. Bardeen also : to move (similar parts) apart
abduct adjoining fingers
Legal Definition
abduct
transitive verb
ab·duct ab-ˈdəkt, əb-
: to carry or lead (a person) away by threat or use of force or often by fraud
also : to restrain or conceal (a person) for the purpose of preventing escape or rescue see also kidnapping
abductor
noun
as in kidnapper
Synonyms & Similar Words
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- kidnapper
- kidnaper
- carjacker
- hijacker
- shoplifter
- pickpocket
- skyjacker
- pilferer
- ravisher
- looter
- pillager
- plunderer
- cutpurse
- smuggler
- sneak thief
- bandit
- pirate
- rustler
- despoiler
- highwayman
- kleptomaniac
- footpad
- poacher
- ransacker
- embezzler
- klepto
- dip
- burglar
- housebreaker
- grafter
- cat burglar
- cracksman
- mugger
- safecracker
- picklock
- quadrumanal
- quadrumane
- quadrumanes
- quadrumanous
- quadrumvir
- quadrumvirate
- quadrumvirates
- quadrumvirs
- quadruped
- quadrupedal
- quadrupeds
- quadrupl
- quadruplane
- quadruple
- quadruple amputee
- quadruple counterpoint
- quadruple point
- quadruple star
- quadruple thread
- quadrupled
- quadrupleness
- quadrupler
- quadruples
- quadruplest
- quadruplet