rescue

verb

res·​cue ˈre-(ˌ)skyü How to pronounce rescue (audio)
rescued; rescuing

transitive verb

: to free from confinement, danger, or evil : save, deliver
They were rescued from the burning building by firefighters.
… a volunteer group that rescues and nurtures injured and orphaned wildlife …Australian Geographic
(figurative) … the acanthus leaf into which the light fixture on the hall ceiling is set was rescued from a curbside trash heap.Barbara Deane
: such as
a
: to take (someone, such as a prisoner) forcibly from custody
b
: to recover (something, such as a prize) by force
c
: to deliver (a place under siege) by armed force
rescuable adjective
rescue noun
Historians are wary of the notion that, at a critical point in history, a heroic figure, galloping to the rescue, snatches victory from the jaws of defeat … James MacGregor Burns
rescuer noun
Choose the Right Synonym for rescue

rescue, deliver, redeem, ransom, reclaim, save mean to set free from confinement or danger.

rescue implies freeing from imminent danger by prompt or vigorous action.

rescued the crew of a sinking ship

deliver implies release usually of a person from confinement, temptation, slavery, or suffering.

delivered his people from bondage

redeem implies releasing from bondage or penalties by giving what is demanded or necessary.

job training designed to redeem school dropouts from chronic unemployment

ransom specifically applies to buying out of captivity.

tried to ransom the kidnap victim

reclaim suggests a bringing back to a former state or condition of someone or something abandoned or debased.

reclaimed long-abandoned farms

save may replace any of the foregoing terms; it may further imply a preserving or maintaining for usefulness or continued existence.

an operation that saved my life

Examples of rescue in a Sentence

The survivors were rescued by the Coast Guard. an all-out effort to rescue a beached whale
Recent Examples on the Web In addition to rescuing and rehoming lab animals, Beagle Freedom Project also focuses on advocacy. Sydney Page, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2024 In 2020, despite Australian-Chinese tensions, the crew of a Chinese icebreaker in Antarctica rescued a sick Australian expeditioner. Elizabeth Buchanan, Foreign Affairs, 18 Mar. 2024 Tom and Tim Haskell, two brothers from Seaford, New York, and members of the FDNY, perished on 9/11 while rescuing others from the Twin Towers. Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 17 Mar. 2024 Our 50 best cleaning products will super-shine your home and rescue you from drudgery—or at least save some time. Ella Field, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Mar. 2024 An off-duty Indianapolis firefighter is being credited with saving a woman’s life after rescuing her from a burning home in Greenwood Tuesday morning. Jake Allen, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Mar. 2024 The structure was built in 1867, faced demolition in 2002, and was rescued from the wrecking ball by city redevelopment officials. George Avalos, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024 For example, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, which has been collaborating with agencies and municipalities to save the burrowing owl, recently released some owls that had been rescued from near-certain death as chicks. Jireh Deng, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2024 Mount Washington was also the setting of a recent incident involving a Kentucky man who had to be rescued. David Chiu, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rescue.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English rescouen, rescuen, from Anglo-French rescure, from re- + escure to shake off, from Latin excutere, from ex- + quatere to shake

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rescue was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near rescue

Cite this Entry

“Rescue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rescue. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

rescue

verb
res·​cue ˈres-kyü How to pronounce rescue (audio)
rescued; rescuing
: to free from danger or evil : save
rescue noun
rescuer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on rescue

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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