Spanish word

secuestrar

Pronunciation

IPA/sekwesˈtɾaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbkidnap

Example

¿Quién intentó secuestrar al niño?

Who tried to kidnap the child?

Illustration for secuestrar (kidnap)

More examples

Los secuestradores pidieron dinero después de secuestrar al conductor.

The kidnappers demanded money after kidnapping the driver.

Core concept

Person being forced into the back of a van by an abductor.

Common phrases

  • secuestrar a alguien

    kidnap someone

  • acusar de secuestrar a alguien

    accuse someone of kidnapping

Similar words

raptar: Forcibly or deceitfully take someone away; common informal term for abduction.
retener: Keep someone confined in a place so they cannot move freely or leave.
detener: Stop someone's actions and physically restrain them on the spot, preventing movement.

Definition in Spanish

Privar a una persona de su libertad por la fuerza o el engaño para retenerla, exigir algo o usarla como rehén.

Word origin

From medieval Latin sequestrare 'to sequester', itself from Latin sequester 'trustee', originally meaning to place someone in custody.

Usage tips

  • In informal Spanish raptar often replaces secuestrar, but secuestrar remains the preferred verb in news reports and legal contexts.

Other meanings

  • carry offverb
  • hold hostageverb
  • hijackverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word