king's ransom

noun

: a very large sum of money

Examples of king's ransom in a Sentence

We paid a king's ransom for that car. that enormous diamond ring must have cost a king's ransom
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
While the Cowboys might be entertaining trade offers, Jones is likely to seek a king's ransom to part with Parsons. Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025 The king's ransom paid Apple for Google search priority has been called into question due to the government's antitrust case against Alphabet . Zev Fima, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2025 Williams is such a talented prospect that experts are saying the Bears should not trade the first overall pick for a king's ransom. Jon Hoefling, USA TODAY, 5 Feb. 2024 What king's ransom would the price of entry be if the trumpeters all make a ‘living wage’ for a temporary job best filled by college students? Luther Ray Abel, National Review, 17 Feb. 2023 But a king's ransom awaits you with A Royal Corgi Christmas (Hallmark, Nov. 25), where a prince who's about to assume the throne gifts his mother a rambunctious corgi named Mistletoe, who's in desperate need of a trainer. Dan Snierson, EW.com, 22 Nov. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1525, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of king's ransom was circa 1525

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Cite this Entry

“King's ransom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/king%27s%20ransom. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

king's ransom

noun
: a very large sum of money
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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