abduct

Verb

UK: /æbˈdʌkt/

US: /æbˈdʌkt/


Definition

To take someone away by force.

To take someone away without asking or telling.

To take someone away illegally by force or deception, often to hold them captive.

Examples and Usage

▶️ To Take Someone Away

Example: The alien tried to abduct the little boy, but he escaped.

  • Explanation: In this sentence, "abduct" means the alien tried to take the boy away.

Example: The police stopped a man who was trying to abduct a child from the park.

  • Explanation: Here, "abduct" means the man was trying to take the child away without permission.

Example: A bad guy tried to abduct the puppy, but the puppy ran away.

  • Explanation: Here, "abduct" means the bad guy tried to take the puppy without permission.

Example: The superhero stopped the villain from abducting the little girl.

  • Explanation: In this sentence, "abduct" means the villain tried to take the little girl, but the superhero saved her.

▶️ To Kidnap or Take Away by Force

Example: The criminal attempted to abduct the child from the playground, but bystanders intervened.

  • Explanation: In this example, "abduct" means the criminal tried to take the child away by force.

Example: She was abducted by rebels and held for ransom.

  • Explanation: Here, "abducted" means she was taken away by force and held for money.

How to Use "Abduct"

When talking about taking someone or something without permission:

☑️Example: The mean witch wanted to abduct the fairy, but the fairy flew away.

  • Subject: The mean witch
  • Predicate: wanted to abduct the fairy, but the fairy flew away
    • "wanted to abduct" (verb phrase)
    • "the fairy" (object)
    • "but the fairy flew away" (conjunction and dependent clause)

☑️Example: The dragon tried to abduct the princess, but the knight rescued her.

  • Subject: The dragon
  • Predicate: tried to abduct the princess, but the knight rescued her
    • "tried to abduct" (verb phrase)
    • "the princess" (object)
    • "but the knight rescued her" (conjunction and dependent clause)

When talking about taking someone by force:

☑️Example: The hero saved the princess from being abducted by the villain.

  • Subject: The hero
  • Predicate: saved the princess from being abducted by the villain
    • "saved" (verb)
    • "the princess" (object)
    • "from being abducted" (prepositional phrase)
    • "by the villain" (prepositional phrase explaining who was trying to abduct)

☑️Example: The kidnapper planned to abduct the girl, but the police caught him in time.

  • Subject: The kidnapper
  • Predicate: planned to abduct the girl, but the police caught him in time
    • "planned to abduct" (verb phrase)
    • "the girl" (object)
    • "but the police caught him in time" (conjunction and dependent clause)

When discussing the act of taking someone away illegally:

☑️Example: The police report indicated that the suspect had planned to abduct the businesswoman during her morning jog.

  • Subject: The police report
  • Predicate: indicated that the suspect had planned to abduct the businesswoman during her morning jog
    • "indicated" (verb)
    • "that the suspect had planned to abduct the businesswoman during her morning jog" (object clause)
      • "the suspect" (subject of the object clause)
      • "had planned to abduct" (verb phrase)
      • "the businesswoman" (direct object)
      • "during her morning jog" (prepositional phrase explaining when)

☑️Example: International law enforcement agencies collaborated to rescue the abducted tourists.

  • Subject: International law enforcement agencies
  • Predicate: collaborated to rescue the abducted tourists
    • "collaborated" (verb)
    • "to rescue" (infinitive verb phrase explaining purpose)
    • "the abducted tourists" (direct object)

More Examples

☑️Example: The storybook character was abducted by pirates but later rescued by his friends.

  • Explanation: The character was taken away by pirates, but his friends saved him.

☑️Example: In the movie, the superhero stops the villain from abducting the scientist.

  • Explanation: The superhero prevents the villain from taking the scientist away by force.

☑️Example: The ambassador was abducted by a militant group demanding political concessions.

  • Explanation: The ambassador was taken away by force by a group that wanted political changes.

☑️Example: Child abduction cases are often highly publicized to raise awareness and aid in the search for the missing.

  • Explanation: Cases where children are taken away by force or deception are often in the news to help find the missing children.

☑️Example: The pirate wanted to abduct the treasure chest, but the captain stopped him.

  • Explanation: The pirate tried to take the treasure chest without asking, but the captain prevented it.

☑️Example: The storybook monster tried to abduct the toy, but the toy was too fast.

  • Explanation: The monster tried to take the toy, but the toy got away.

Legal and Social Context

In legal terms, "abduct" is often associated with serious crimes involving kidnapping or illegal confinement. It can be used in various contexts, from criminal cases to descriptions of historical events.


Synonyms & Similar Words

Kidnap Take Away Snatch Steal

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Release Free