ransom

²ransom

verb

Definition of RANSOM

transitive verb

1

: to deliver especially from sin or its penalty

2

: to free from captivity or punishment by paying a price

— ran·som·er noun

Examples of RANSOM

1. He was held captive for a week before he was ransomed and returned to his family.
2. <the prince emptied the treasury to ransom his son from the kidnappers>

First Known Use of RANSOM

14th century

Related to RANSOM

Synonyms: redeem

Related Words: bail; deliver, rescue, save; emancipate, liberate; get back, recover, regain, retrieve; release; buy; salvage

[+]more[-]hide

See Synonym Discussion at rescue