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

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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 ransom notes that followed stirred up an uncontrollable press storm, but when the culprits fell silent, the police faltered, and Catriona and Adam were never seen again. Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 1 Oct. 2025 This is the most stressful The Morning Show has ever been, even more than that time the newsroom was held hostage for a $50 million ransom. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 26 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
  • Judging by his big grin, though, the best topic was saved till last when asked to describe Estevao’s display.
    Simon Johnson, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • By benching Wilson, Denver made sure that he couldn’t get injured and was consequently able to save money on his release.
    Frank Nunns OConnell, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The National Guard was deployed to assist in emergency response and recovery efforts.
    Chantelle Lee, Time, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Its congregation, filled with influential regional leaders, are praying for her recovery, Hughes said.
    Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In May 2024, our officers helped rescue a bull that had escaped.
    Gabrielle Chenault, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Aurora, the husky, had to be rescued by local animal control after chasing a squirrel up a tree in her Indiana backyard and getting stuck on a branch up in the air.
    Kirsty Hatcher, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The 13–0 squad of 2023 was about redemption.
    D’Joumbarey Moreau, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
  • In the end, foregiveness offers redemption.
    Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Before the judges revealed their scores, Leavitt told cohost Julianne Hough that her sole goal in week 6 was to redeem her week 5 stumble during a soulful contemporary routine dedicated to her husband.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Here’s how to claim your lottery prize All Arizona Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $100 and may redeem winnings up to $599.
    Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • His salvation is described in the doc-feature as the biggest rescue operation of Jews in WWII.
    John Hopewell, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
  • Baker says his salvation was an email sent out on behalf of the PFA in the summer of 2024.
    Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 10 Oct. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Ransom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ransom. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.

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