rescue 1 of 2

as in salvation
the saving from danger or evil stranded people hoping for rescue from the rising floodwaters

Synonyms & Similar Words

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rescue

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb rescue contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rescue are deliver, ransom, reclaim, redeem, and save. While all these words 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

When is deliver a more appropriate choice than rescue?

In some situations, the words deliver and rescue are roughly equivalent. However, deliver implies release usually of a person from confinement, temptation, slavery, or suffering.

delivered his people from bondage

When is it sensible to use ransom instead of rescue?

The synonyms ransom and rescue are sometimes interchangeable, but ransom specifically applies to buying out of captivity.

tried to ransom the kidnap victim

In what contexts can reclaim take the place of rescue?

Although the words reclaim and rescue have much in common, reclaim suggests a bringing back to a former state or condition of someone or something abandoned or debased.

reclaimed long-abandoned farms

When might redeem be a better fit than rescue?

The words redeem and rescue can be used in similar contexts, 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 can save be used instead of rescue?

The meanings of save and rescue largely overlap; however, 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 rescue
Verb
The 35-year-old came off the bench in the 85th minute but could not help his country rescue a 1-0 defeat to Guatemala in their opening game of the Gold Cup group stage in California. Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 17 June 2025 The War Powers Resolution of 1973 provided further guidance on the President’s war powers, including that the President must have congressional approval for the use of force abroad except for certain circumstances like safely removing troops or rescuing Americans overseas. Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 17 June 2025 Israel's emergency services, Magen David Adom, shared images of babies being rescued from the rubble. Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 16 June 2025 The Oscar winner and nominee, respectively, star as Kevin McKay and Mary Ludwig, a bus driver and a teacher, who helped rescue a bus full of children. Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 8 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for rescue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rescue
Noun
  • 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.
    Ryan Fleming, Deadline, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • But, as President Zelensky noted at the G7 summit, additional funding from allies to speed the development and production process could save a lot of lives.
    David Hambling, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • My 80-minute recovery massage worked out the kinks and left me feeling blissful.
    Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 22 June 2025
  • Tiger Woods has shown several signs of a successful recovery from his ruptured Achilles tendon.
    Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • These moves come as President Donald Trump tried to salvage a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran that took effect early Tuesday morning.
    Brian Evans,Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 23 June 2025
  • The Padres, after a crushing loss, salvaged a crucial win in the series finale.
    Dennis Lin, New York Times, 17 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rescue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rescue. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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