abduction
/æbˈdʌkʃən/
NOUN
1. Taking someone away by force
The act of unlawfully or forcibly taking a person away against their will, typically through violence, threats, or deception, often with the intention of holding them captive or demanding a ransom.
1.1. Kidnapping and forced removal
Used to describe the criminal act of seizing, kidnapping, or carrying someone away against their will.
Synonyms
- kidnapping
- seizure
- capture
- snatching
- hijacking
- taking
- snatch
- rape
Antonyms
- release
- liberation
- rescue
- freedom
- return
Examples
- The police launched an investigation into the abduction of a child from a nearby playground.
- The family received a ransom demand following the abduction of their wealthy relative.
- The documentary examined the psychological effects of abduction on victims and their families.
Related Words
1.2. Alien and extraterrestrial kidnapping
Used in discussions of alleged UFO encounters and extraterrestrial phenomena to describe the supposed taking of a person by alien beings.
Synonyms
- kidnapping
- capture
- seizure
Antonyms
- release
- liberation
- rescue
Examples
- The documentary explored several accounts of alleged alien abduction.
- She described her supposed abduction by extraterrestrial beings during the interview.
Related Words
- alien
- extraterrestrial
- UFO
- spacecraft
- alien encounter
- paranormal phenomenon
- experimentation
NOUN
2. Outward movement of a body part
The movement of a limb or another body part away from the median plane or central axis of the body.
2.1. Anatomy and physical movement
Used in anatomy, physiology, and physical therapy to describe the outward movement of a body part away from the body's midline, such as raising an arm sideways or moving a leg outward.
Synonyms
- motion
- movement
- displacement
- divergence
Antonyms
- adduction
- immobility
- nonmoving
Examples
- Hip abduction involves moving the leg outward, away from the body's central axis.
- The therapist measured the patient's shoulder abduction to evaluate joint mobility.
- Regular exercises involving arm abduction can help improve shoulder flexibility.
Related Words
- adduction
- abductor muscle
- adductor muscle
- limb
- joint
- median plane
- muscle contraction
- range of motion
- physiology