ransom 1 of 2

as in to save
to free from captivity or punishment by paying a price the prince emptied the treasury to ransom his son from the kidnappers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

ransom

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb ransom contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of ransom are deliver, reclaim, redeem, rescue, and save. While all these words mean "to set free from confinement or danger," ransom specifically applies to buying out of captivity.

tried to ransom the kidnap victim

When is deliver a more appropriate choice than ransom?

The words deliver and ransom are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deliver implies release usually of a person from confinement, temptation, slavery, or suffering.

delivered his people from bondage

In what contexts can reclaim take the place of ransom?

The meanings of reclaim and ransom largely overlap; however, reclaim suggests a bringing back to a former state or condition of someone or something abandoned or debased.

reclaimed long-abandoned farms

When is it sensible to use redeem instead of ransom?

The synonyms redeem and ransom are sometimes interchangeable, but redeem implies releasing from bondage or penalties by giving what is demanded or necessary.

job training designed to redeem school dropouts from chronic unemployment

When might rescue be a better fit than ransom?

In some situations, the words rescue and ransom are roughly equivalent. However, rescue implies freeing from imminent danger by prompt or vigorous action.

rescued the crew of a sinking ship

Where would save be a reasonable alternative to ransom?

The words save and ransom can be used in similar contexts, but 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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ransom
Verb
The kidnappers allegedly used the man’s phone to videocall his contacts, including his spouse, to demand ransom. Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 16 Sep. 2025 Second-degree kidnapping indicates the suspect did not seek a ransom. Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
Such data, depending on the sensitivity, can be held to ransom against a threat of publication to a leak site or sale to the highest criminal bidder. Davey Winder, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024 They were taken by speedboats to the jungles of the southern Philippine province of Sulu, where they were held in harsh conditions before being mostly ransomed off using millions of dollars reportedly provided by then-Libyan leader Moammar Kadafi. Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for ransom
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ransom
Verb
  • Blood is always poised and ready to clot, because the body sees this as a life-saving mechanism.
    Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Is intuitive budgeting effective for saving money?
    Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Related Stories In a statement posted to social media, Parton, 79, said the recovery time will prevent her from properly preparing for the Las Vegas performances.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025
  • My surgery and recovery presented no complications.
    Maureen Carrig, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Brooks explained the white and brown pup was rescued from a cruelty case in South Carolina.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • As Sergio uncovers that the village’s devotion to Matteo is far from benevolent, his attempt to rescue the boy known as the Angel of Remis ignites the community’s vengeful nature.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Eymère’s and de Pourtalès’ regenerative farm and cultural center, 91530 Le Marais, is in charge of creating this physical soil reserve to support long-term trust and redemption utility.
    Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Some themes explored by the story are compassion, temptation and redemption.
    Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 23 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • One important caveat is, new JAL Mileage Bank members must wait seven days before redeeming miles.
    Meghan Hunter, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
  • That seems like quite a serious undertaking for a half-hour comedy about a disgraced former college football player who sets off to redeem himself by catfishing his way into becoming the quarterback for an underdog team in south Georgia.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Close to breaking point, the man encounters a kindred spirit who might just hold the key to his salvation.
    Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 25 Sep. 2025
  • New York seems to be its last chance to get critical salvation.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • When his many debts and checkered past start to catch up with him, Doyle encounters a kindred spirit who may hold the key to his deliverance.
    Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Fame is perhaps this tower, an ultimate entrapment in the self that is also a deliverance from it.
    Rachel Cusk, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ransom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ransom. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ransom

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!