abducted; abducting; abducts
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
Examples of abduct in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
He has not been charged with a crime, and some supporters have accused the government of abducting him.
—
Laura Romero, ABC News, 13 Mar. 2025
The men abducted Mousa and he was found five hours later lying in the street with gunshot wounds to his chest and abdomen, the relative said.
—Kareem El Damanhoury, CNN, 12 Mar. 2025
Peterson has maintained that Laci was abducted by burglars.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 12 Mar. 2025
The story, based on the New York Times best-seller by Alex North, is set in motion when an eight-year old boy is abducted.
—Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abduct
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Laura Romero, ABC News, 13 Mar. 2025
The men abducted Mousa and he was found five hours later lying in the street with gunshot wounds to his chest and abdomen, the relative said.
—Kareem El Damanhoury, CNN, 12 Mar. 2025
Peterson has maintained that Laci was abducted by burglars.
—David Matthews, New York Daily News, 12 Mar. 2025
The story, based on the New York Times best-seller by Alex North, is set in motion when an eight-year old boy is abducted.
—Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abduct
Cite this Entry
“Abduct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abduct. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
abduct
verb
ab·duct
ab-ˈdəkt 
1
: to carry (a person) off by force
2
: to draw (a part of the body) away from a middle plane or line that divides the body or a bodily part into right and left halves
abduction
noun
-ˈdək-shən
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
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