As nouns the difference between hostage and kidnap
is that hostage is a person given as a pledge or security for the performance of the conditions of a treaty or stipulations of any kind, on the performance of which the person is to be released while kidnap is an instance of kidnapping.
As a verb kidnap is
to seize and detain a person unlawfully; sometimes for ransom.
hostage
English
Noun
(
en noun)
A person given as a pledge or security for the performance of the conditions of a treaty or stipulations of any kind, on the performance of which the person is to be released.
See also
* give hostage to fortune
Anagrams
*
*
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kidnap
English
(kidnapping)
Verb
To seize and detain a person unlawfully; sometimes for ransom.
Noun
(
en noun)
An instance of kidnapping.
Related terms
* kidnapper, kidnaper
* kidnappee, kidnapee