as in saving
to free from captivity or punishment by paying a price
the prince emptied the treasury to ransom his son from the kidnappers
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Recent Examples of ransoming
Abu Sayyaf was particularly notorious for kidnapping and ransoming foreigners.
—
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 17 Dec. 2025
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 17 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ransoming
Verb
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The Standard Model may or may not be in trouble, but particle physics definitely needs saving.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Mar. 2026
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Last month, Cuba’s government implemented austere fuel-saving measures and warned that jet fuel wouldn’t be available at nine airports until mid-March.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Within two minutes, Phoenix police arrived at the scene, taking the woman into custody and rescuing the child.—
Sydney Page The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
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Animal Services asked for help either fostering, adopting or rescuing the dogs to free up kennel space.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ransoming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ransoming. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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