rescue

verb

res·cue | \ ˈre-(ˌ)skyü

rescued; rescuing

Definition of rescue

transitive verb

: to free from confinement, danger, or evil : save, deliver: such as

a : to take (someone, such as a prisoner) forcibly from custody

b : to recover (something, such as a prize) by force

c : to deliver (a place under siege) by armed force

Other Words from rescue Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about rescue

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Choose the Right Synonym for rescue

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 rescue in a Sentence

The survivors were rescued by the Coast Guard. an all-out effort to rescue a beached whale

Recent Examples on the Web

The quake struck early Sunday evening at a depth of 15 kilometers (9.3 miles), shaking a region still recovering from a magnitude 6.4 quake last week that left 20 dead and briefly stranded hundreds of hikers who were eventually rescued. — I Made Sentana, WSJ, "Scores Killed in Latest Indonesian Earthquake," 6 Aug. 2018 The aircraft were forced to conduct an emergency landing on the glaciers of Greenland, and though all the crew members were rescued nine days later, the aircraft were left behind. — Jay Bennett, Popular Mechanics, "WWII P-38 Discovered Under 300 Feet of Ice in Greenland," 27 July 2018 The announcement came the same day the last boy was rescued. — Travis M. Andrews, chicagotribune.com, "The Thai cave rescue is being made into a movie. As Hollywood's history shows, this was inevitable," 13 July 2018 The soccer team's ordeal began June 23 when rising water trapped them inside a cave, and the last of the dozen boys and one coach were rescued on Tuesday after a harrowing 18-days that sparked global media interest. — Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Crazy Rich Asians' Director Eyes Thai Cave Rescue Movie," 12 July 2018 Salem said 49 juveniles, including a 2-year-old, were rescued from trafficking situations in Orange County last year. — Stephen Hudak, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Orange County's crisis shelter for human-trafficking victims is full — and that may be a good thing," 12 July 2018 Per The Hollywood Reporter, Pure Flix Entertainment has already optioned the story of the Thai soccer team being rescued from a cave. — Rebecca Farley, refinery29.com, "The Harrowing Tale Of The Boys In The Cave Is Already Going To Be A Movie," 11 July 2018 Four more emerged on Monday, and two of the remaining team members were rescued on Tuesday afternoon. — New York Times, "Freed From Thai Cave, Boys May Still Face Health Problems," 10 July 2018 The first boy rescued by Monday’s team was freed around 4:30 p.m. local time and transferred to the same hospital as the first four boys who were rescued on Sunday. — Erin Corbett, Fortune, "4 More Boys Rescued From Thailand Cave," 9 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rescue.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.