ransom 1 of 2

as in to save
to free from captivity or punishment by paying a price the prince emptied the treasury to ransom his son from the kidnappers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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ransom

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ransom
Verb
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
Noun
After the ransom was paid, Hamm was released near Wyoming, Minnesota. Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2025 But should any actions warrant a ransom of $8 billion in return for your freedom, your freedom of speech, and educational freedom? Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 10 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for ransom
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ransom
Verb
  • To say that is an insult to the years of painful work my wife has done to save herself.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • America’s millionaires are now mostly on the coasts, in states with expensive real estate and high income jobs that generate more possibilities to save and invest.
    Mark Dent, HubSpot, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • Within 48 hours, enough users and admins were complaining that the update was booting their computers to a BitLocker recovery screen in a weird startup loop, that Microsoft had to take notice.
    Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
  • This could be linked to the improved muscle recovery between runs and other workouts.
    Devinder Bains, Glamour, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Sandra Oh and more, the new Smurfs will follow the residents of Smurf Village banding together to rescue Papa Smurf after he is captured by an evil wizard.
    Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 16 May 2025
  • The Browns may have an opportunity to rescue themselves from a similar abyss.
    Jeff Howe, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • The 2025 season marks a turning point for the Brock baseball program—one filled with change, challenge, and a quest for redemption.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 May 2025
  • This rare offer, which is worth up to $1,250 in travel redemptions, will officially end on May 15 at 9 AM ET.
    Ryley Amond, CNBC, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • Benning redeemed himself minutes later, threading a blue-line blast through traffic on a late-period power play to tie the game at 2-2, reawakening the Charlotte crowd and shifting momentum back to the home team.
    Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 17 May 2025
  • Chargers Jim Harbaugh taking a new approach to evaluating Chargers’ rookie talent May 10, 2025 Week 17, HOUSTON, TBD: Herbert can redeem himself against the defense that grabbed four interceptions in the Chargers’ 2024 playoff flop.
    Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • Image Image Image In early Christianity, the keys were largely a theological symbol of forgiveness, and that in giving Peter the keys, Jesus was offering salvation to people.
    Elizabeth Dias, New York Times, 8 May 2025
  • Rather than using the salvation of Tommy as an excuse to inadvertently kill those who wronged her, Ellie’s bloodlust is on full display to Dina.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 5 May 2025
Noun
  • Wine • Four glasses of wine are poured to represent the four stages of the Exodus: freedom, deliverance, redemption and release.
    Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 11 Apr. 2025
  • His corpse is down the street from a brothel, and below a billboard advertisement for a priest who promises miracles and deliverance.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 4 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ransom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ransom. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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