ransom

1 of 2

noun

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

ransom

2 of 2

verb

ransomed; ransoming; ransoms

transitive verb

1

: to deliver especially from sin or its penalty

2

: to free from captivity or punishment by paying a price

ransomer noun

Synonyms

Verb

• save
• rescue
• redeem

Choose the Right Synonym for ransom

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 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

Noun

Jordan shot Marter in the back of the head before her banker husband paid a $25,000 ransom for her return on Jan. 12, 1976. —Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 26 June 2025

Criminals believe that retailers are big, rich targets that move slowly to respond to threats and are likely to comply with ransom demands rather than suffer business disruption. —Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025

Verb

This could suggest that while attackers are targeting more victims, fewer are giving in to ransom demands. —Sam Sabin, Axios, 7 Feb. 2025

While Mikhail managed to escape by climbing out a window and taking refuge in a nearby nunnery, the men took his son hostage, and Mikhail was not able to ransom him until several days later. —Youmna Melhem Chamieh, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025

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

Phrases Containing ransom

• king's ransom

Rhymes for ransom

• handsome
• hansom
• transom

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

Ransom

biographical name

Ran·​som ˈran(t)-səm 

John Crowe 1888–1974 American educator and poet