abduct
10 synonyms and 3 antonyms for abduct, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To take a person away by force, usually secretly and against their will; to kidnap.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use abduct
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
abduct a child
abduct the arm
Etymology
From Latin abductus, past participle of abdūcō, "to lead away", from ab- ("away") and dūcō ("to lead").
Full origin of abduct →Frequently asked questions
What does “abduct” mean?
The word “abduct” means to take a person away by force, usually secretly and against their will; to kidnap. In plain terms, to forcibly take someone away, or, in medical language, to move a body part outward from the center of the body.
How do you pronounce “abduct”?
“Abduct” is pronounced ab-DUHKT (/æbˈdʌkt/ in IPA).
How do you use “abduct” in a sentence?
Here is “abduct” used in a sentence: “Police believe the child was abducted on his way home from school.”
What is another word for “abduct”?
Words with a similar meaning to “abduct” include carry off, drag away, kidnap, run away with, seize and spirit away.
What is the opposite of “abduct”?
The opposite of “abduct” — its antonyms — are adduct, reinstate and restore.
What part of speech is “abduct”?
“Abduct” is a verb.
Where does the word “abduct” come from?
The word “abduct” comes from Latin. From Latin abductus, past participle of abdūcō, "to lead away", from ab- ("away") and dūcō ("to lead").
How many meanings does “abduct” have?
“Abduct” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to take a person away by force, usually secretly and against their will; to kidnap.
