How does the verb ransom contrast with its synonyms?
Some common synonyms of ransom are deliver, reclaim, redeem, rescue, and save. While all these words mean "to set free from confinement or danger," ransom specifically applies to buying out of captivity.
tried to ransom the kidnap victim
When is deliver a more appropriate choice than ransom?
The words deliver and ransom 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
In what contexts can reclaim take the place of ransom?
The meanings of reclaim and ransom largely overlap; however, reclaim suggests a bringing back to a former state or condition of someone or something abandoned or debased.
reclaimed long-abandoned farms
When is it sensible to use redeem instead of ransom?
The synonyms redeem and ransom are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 might rescue be a better fit than ransom?
In some situations, the words rescue and ransom are roughly equivalent. However, rescue implies freeing from imminent danger by prompt or vigorous action.
rescued the crew of a sinking ship
Where would save be a reasonable alternative to ransom?
The words save and ransom can be used in similar contexts, but 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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ransom
Verb
In a separate case earlier this year, a co-founder of French wallet firm Ledger and his wife were abducted from their home in central France in a ransom scheme that also targeted another Ledger executive.—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 7 June 2025 Mario Espino, Jacob James Guest, and Joey Lawrence Eugene Young held Gadiel Leger captive, pouring hot sauce on him and demanding a ransom, according to court documents.—Miami Herald, 31 May 2025
Noun
They were taken by speedboats to the jungles of the southern Philippine province of Sulu, where they were held in harsh conditions before being mostly ransomed off using millions of dollars reportedly provided by then-Libyan leader Moammar Kadafi.—Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024 Nestor explains that the employee sold him out to some Haitians, who stole his product and now want to ransom it back to him.—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 16 June 2024 See All Example Sentences for ransom
Sabalenka, one of the favorites to lift the Wimbledon title this year, had saved four match points in a tiebreak to escape 2022 champion Elena Rybakina the previous day, one of them coming via a fortunate net cord.
—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
21 June 2025
Goodson, the homeowner in Maine, was able to save big money with his engineering background and penchant for DIY.
Two giants will collide when Inter Milan continues its quest for Club World Cup redemption, facing off against Fluminense in the Last 16 on Monday in Charlotte, North Carolina.
—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
Or, Schlichter posits, such funds could choose to keep some cash on hand for redemptions, instead of investing it, which could dampen returns.
Last Verified On June 22, 2025 Information Confirmed By
Newsweek
All of these offers are easy to redeem with the Fanatics Sportsbook promo offer.
—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 June 2025
Scooter's Coffee offers BOGO deal on Father's Day Scooter's Coffee customers can redeem a buy one, get one drink offer on Sunday, June 15 in the Scooter's Coffee mobile app.
Teaming up with Rebels like the enigmatic Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) and the sarcastic droid K-2SO (Alan Tudyk), Jyn’s quest for salvation and redemption runs right up to the beginning of the original film, Star Wars: A New Hope.
—
Mekishana Pierre,
EW.com,
26 June 2025
Netflix’s Devil May Cry follows Dante (Johnny Yong Bosch), a young demon hunter who turns out to be the world’s best hope for salvation when a mysterious villain threatens to open the gates of Hell.
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