Synonyms of save

save 1 of 2

verb

ˈsāv 

1

as in to redeem

to free from the penalties or consequences of sin

the Christian belief that Jesus lived and died to save humanity

Synonyms & Similar Words

• redeem
• forgive
• deliver
• bless
• pardon
• reclaim
• reform
• purify
• remit
• sanctify
• consecrate
• shrive
• hallow

2

as in to rescue

to remove from danger or harm

the firefighters managed to save the family just as the burning building was collapsing

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rescue
• salvage
• deliver
• recover
• bail out
• bring off
• liberate
• extricate
• free
• emancipate
• release
• disentangle
• manumit

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• jeopardize
• adventure
• risk
• compromise
• endanger
• venture
• hazard
• imperil
• peril
• gamble (with)

3

as in to conserve

to avoid unnecessary waste or expense

we'll have to scrimp and save to be able to afford college

Synonyms & Similar Words

• conserve
• spare
• economize
• manage
• preserve
• skimp
• scrimp
• pinch
• pinch pennies
• maintain
• husband
• scrape
• cut down
• hoard
• cut back
• retrench
• lay up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• waste
• spend
• blow
• squander
• throw away
• dissipate
• run through
• lavish
• misspend
• fritter (away)
• splurge

4

as in to preserve

to keep in good condition

lovingly saved the classic car and even upgraded its engine

Synonyms & Similar Words

• preserve
• conserve
• maintain
• protect
• defend
• keep up
• restore
• safeguard
• sustain
• rebuild
• manage
• guard
• service
• husband
• support
• rehabilitate
• cure
• care (for)
• reconstruct
• heal
• shield
• remedy
• patch
• fix
• screen
• rejuvenate
• mend

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignore
• destroy
• disregard
• neglect
• hurt
• break
• ruin
• harm
• impair
• damage
• injure
• wreck

5

as in to dedicate

to keep or intend for a special purpose

I'm saving this dress for a formal occasion

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dedicate
• devote
• allocate
• set apart
• set by
• give up (to)
• reserve
• use
• set aside
• earmark
• consecrate
• bless
• entrust
• apply
• commit
• sanctify
• employ
• confide
• consign
• intrust
• bestow
• hallow

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• ignore
• neglect
• misuse
• misapply

save

2 of 2

preposition

as in except

not including

everyone save me is going to the party

Synonyms & Similar Words

• except
• excepting
• beside
• besides
• but
• saving
• except for
• other than
• bar
• excluding
• apart from
• outside
• exclusive of
• barring
• outside of
• aside from

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb save contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of save are deliver, ransom, reclaim, redeem, and rescue. While all these words mean "to set free from confinement or danger," 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

In what contexts can deliver take the place of save?

The words deliver and save 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

Where would ransom be a reasonable alternative to save?

Although the words ransom and save have much in common, ransom specifically applies to buying out of captivity.

tried to ransom the kidnap victim

When is reclaim a more appropriate choice than save?

In some situations, the words reclaim and save are roughly equivalent. However, reclaim suggests a bringing back to a former state or condition of someone or something abandoned or debased.

reclaimed long-abandoned farms

When would redeem be a good substitute for save?

While in some cases nearly identical to save, 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 could rescue be used to replace save?

The synonyms rescue and save are sometimes interchangeable, but rescue implies freeing from imminent danger by prompt or vigorous action.

rescued the crew of a sinking ship

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of save

Verb

In the scene, a negotiation over lunch to swap dancers between a Paris and a New York ballet company, in an attempt to save their institutions, is interspersed with a series of flash cuts to the individual performers onstage. —Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2025

The fact that this movie is streaming on Amazon and Amazon is presented as the only thing that could ever save humanity from an existential threat is hilarious. —Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 7 Aug. 2025

Preposition

As of Sunday, all other airlines have already ended their flights to mainland China from SFO, which normally has more departures to China than any other U.S. airport save Los Angeles International. —Mallory Moench, SFChronicle.com, 12 Feb. 2020

But all the candidates save Sanders were in Selma on Thursday to mark the 55th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. —Howard Koplowitz | [e-mail], al, 4 Mar. 2020