abduction

noun

ab·​duc·​tion ab-ˈdək-shən How to pronounce abduction (audio)
əb-
Synonyms of abduction
1
: the action of abducting : the condition of being abducted
2
archaic : the unlawful carrying away of a woman for marriage or sexual intercourse

Synonyms of abduction

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Examples of abduction in a Sentence

discredited reports of abductions by aliens
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Once investigators began digging into Evonitz’s past, Chamberlain’s abduction proved to be only part of the story. — Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office said an arrest has been made in connection with the abduction of a man from a North Miami apartment who was later found dead this month. — Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 Related Stories The frightening aspect of the abduction scene was one of the most complex things to capture. — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026 In this week’s issue, Taub writes about living in such a fraught place, his encounters with jihadis, spies, con men, and fledgling reporters trying to prove themselves, and his brush with a possible abduction attempt. — Austin Elias-De Jesus, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for abduction

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin abdūctiōn-, abdūctiō "withdrawal, removal, allurement," from Latin abdūcere "to lead away" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at abduct

First Known Use

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of abduction was in 1632

Rhymes for abduction

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Browse Nearby Words

abductee
abduction
abductive
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Cite this Entry

“Abduction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abduction. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Legal Definition

abduction

noun
ab·​duc·​tion ab-ˈdək-shən, əb- How to pronounce abduction (audio)
1
a
: the action of abducting
abduction of a robbery victim
b
: the tort or felony of abducting a person
2
: the unlawful carrying away of a wife or female child or ward for the purpose of marriage or sexual intercourse

Note: Sense 2 has its roots in common law. As statutorily defined, mainly in the nineteenth century, abduction was generally stated to include taking away or detention of a woman under a certain age, usually 16 or 18, with or without her consent or knowledge of her age.

More from Merriam-Webster on abduction

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about abduction

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