ran·som
ˈran(t)-səm 
1
: a consideration paid or demanded for the release of someone or something from captivity
2
: the act of ransoming
ransomed; ransoming; ransoms
1
: to deliver especially from sin or its penalty
2
: to free from captivity or punishment by paying a price
ransomer
noun
Synonyms
Examples of ransom in a Sentence
Noun
The kidnappers demanded a ransom of one million dollars.
The family is willing to pay ransom for his release.
The ransom note explained the terms under which she would be released.
Verb
He was held captive for a week before he was ransomed and returned to his family.
the prince emptied the treasury to ransom his son from the kidnappers
Recent Examples on the Web
Andy Greenberg Andrew Couts, WIRED, 30 Mar. 2024
This literal king’s ransom has been estimated at 10 times Haiti’s annual government revenue at the time.
—Matthew Brown, Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2024
Kaduna state, which borders the Nigerian capital Abuja to the southwest, has grappled with recurring incidents of kidnappings for ransom by bandits and has witnessed several mass abductions in recent years, including in the district where the LEA Primary and Secondary School is located.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2024
The couple, along with two other suspects, were living in Florida and rounded up by U.S. authorities for the October 2021-armed abduction and ransom of 16 U.S. citizens and one Canadian, including five children as young as eight months, during a missionary trip to an orphanage.
—Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 5 Mar. 2024
There is already an unrelated legal challenge in New Jersey over a request to test the saliva on the stamped ransom envelopes for clues.
—Tracey Tully, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024
The group then charges a ransom in exchange for releasing the data and not publishing it.
—James Farrell, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
They were abducted by armed bandits on motorcycles who demanded a ransom and threatened to kill the children.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN, 24 Mar. 2024
Unlike the recent computer problems at Tri-City Medical Center in Oceanside and the monthlong operations problems at Scripps Health in 2021, the cause of the latest problem, officials said, had nothing to do with hackers attempting to hold information hostage for ransom.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2024
Sabra Ayres, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2024
Some of the victims said they have been enslaved and sold to work on the farms of RSF commanders, and others recounted being held while their families were forced to ransom them.
—Hafiz Haroun, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2024
He is nonetheless drawn in, to his surprise and discomfort, by Benzion’s provocation that American Jews have ransomed themselves for the fantasy of belonging.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 15 Feb. 2024
They’re known to raid crops, break into homes and stores, and snatch things like cell phones to cleverly ransom back for food.
—Erika Fry, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2024
Becciu was found guilty of further, unrelated misconduct including embezzlement through a Sardinian Catholic charity run by his brother and misuse of funds allotted to ransom a kidnapped nun.
—Timothy H.j. Nerozzi Fox News, Fox News, 16 Dec. 2023
The family is buried together at Graceland Elvis was interred at a Memphis cemetery near Gladys — but after criminals attempted to steal his remains and ransom them, Vernon eventually had the two brought back to Graceland and buried in the Meditation Garden Elvis built on the property in 1964.
—Julie Tremaine, Peoplemag, 17 Sep. 2023
The priest offers to ransom her with a priceless treasure, which Agamemnon spurns rudely, and Apollo punishes this sacrilege with a plague.
—Judith Thurman, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2023
After a shady investor steals their new invention, Nick, Dale and Kurt conspire to kidnap the man’s adult son and ransom him to pay off their debts.
—Ed Stockly, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2021
Noun
The brokerage describes receiving emails and even a phone call from an Armenian number demanding a $40,000 ransom.
—Andy Greenberg Andrew Couts, WIRED, 30 Mar. 2024
This literal king’s ransom has been estimated at 10 times Haiti’s annual government revenue at the time.
—Matthew Brown, Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2024
Kaduna state, which borders the Nigerian capital Abuja to the southwest, has grappled with recurring incidents of kidnappings for ransom by bandits and has witnessed several mass abductions in recent years, including in the district where the LEA Primary and Secondary School is located.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2024
The couple, along with two other suspects, were living in Florida and rounded up by U.S. authorities for the October 2021-armed abduction and ransom of 16 U.S. citizens and one Canadian, including five children as young as eight months, during a missionary trip to an orphanage.
—Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 5 Mar. 2024
There is already an unrelated legal challenge in New Jersey over a request to test the saliva on the stamped ransom envelopes for clues.
—Tracey Tully, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2024
The group then charges a ransom in exchange for releasing the data and not publishing it.
—James Farrell, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
They were abducted by armed bandits on motorcycles who demanded a ransom and threatened to kill the children.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN, 24 Mar. 2024
Unlike the recent computer problems at Tri-City Medical Center in Oceanside and the monthlong operations problems at Scripps Health in 2021, the cause of the latest problem, officials said, had nothing to do with hackers attempting to hold information hostage for ransom.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2024
Verb
This was frightening news, but Olena had heard that the Russians sometimes ransomed detainees for cash.
—Sabra Ayres, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2024
Some of the victims said they have been enslaved and sold to work on the farms of RSF commanders, and others recounted being held while their families were forced to ransom them.
—Hafiz Haroun, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2024
He is nonetheless drawn in, to his surprise and discomfort, by Benzion’s provocation that American Jews have ransomed themselves for the fantasy of belonging.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 15 Feb. 2024
They’re known to raid crops, break into homes and stores, and snatch things like cell phones to cleverly ransom back for food.
—Erika Fry, Fortune, 27 Jan. 2024
Becciu was found guilty of further, unrelated misconduct including embezzlement through a Sardinian Catholic charity run by his brother and misuse of funds allotted to ransom a kidnapped nun.
—Timothy H.j. Nerozzi Fox News, Fox News, 16 Dec. 2023
The family is buried together at Graceland Elvis was interred at a Memphis cemetery near Gladys — but after criminals attempted to steal his remains and ransom them, Vernon eventually had the two brought back to Graceland and buried in the Meditation Garden Elvis built on the property in 1964.
—Julie Tremaine, Peoplemag, 17 Sep. 2023
The priest offers to ransom her with a priceless treasure, which Agamemnon spurns rudely, and Apollo punishes this sacrilege with a plague.
—Judith Thurman, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2023
After a shady investor steals their new invention, Nick, Dale and Kurt conspire to kidnap the man’s adult son and ransom him to pay off their debts.
—Ed Stockly, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ransom.' 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
Noun
Middle English ransoun, from Anglo-French rançun, from Latin redemption-, redemptio — more at redemption
First Known Use
Noun
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of ransom was
in the 13th century
Phrases Containing ransom
Dictionary Entries Near ransom
Cite this Entry
“Ransom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ransom. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
ransom
1 of 2 noun
ran·som
ˈran(t)-səm
1
: something paid or demanded for the freedom of a captured person
2
: the act of ransoming
ransom
2 of 2 verb
: to free from captivity or punishment by paying a price
ransomer
noun
Legal Definition
ransom
1 of 2 noun
ran·som
: a consideration paid or demanded for the release of someone or something from captivity see also kidnapping
ransom
2 of 2 transitive verb
: to free from captivity by paying a price
Biographical Definition
More from Merriam-Webster on ransom
Nglish: Translation of ransom for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of ransom for Arabic Speakers
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