What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
abduct
Example
The police suspect that the victim was abducted by a group of criminals. [abducted: past tense]
Example
The abductor demanded a large sum of money in exchange for the safe return of the kidnapped child. [abductor: noun]
snatch
Example
The thief snatched the woman's purse and ran away. [snatched: past tense]
Example
The kidnapper snatched the child from the playground and drove away in a van. [kidnapper: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Snatch is more commonly used than abduct in everyday language. Snatch is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while abduct is less common and refers specifically to the removal of people through force or deception.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between abduct and snatch?
Both abduct and snatch are typically associated with a serious and formal tone due to their association with criminal acts and violence.
