Synonyms of rescue

rescue 1 of 2

noun

as in salvation

the saving from danger or evil

stranded people hoping for rescue from the rising floodwaters

Synonyms & Similar Words

• salvation
• recovery
• redemption
• protection
• deliverance
• ransom
• security
• defense
• extrication
• preservation
• safeguard
• conservation
• guardianship
• safeguarding
• safekeeping
• guard

rescue

2 of 2

verb

ˈre-(ˌ)skyü 

as in to save

to remove from danger or harm

an all-out effort to rescue a beached whale

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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

Recent Examples of rescue

Noun

Last July, a Frontex patrol boat operated by the Portuguese Maritime Police sank off the eastern Aegean island of Lesbos during a search and rescue operation involving a boat carrying migrants. —ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026

In the third, the defense came to his rescue. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026

Verb

The Geneva Conventions says nations have a duty to take all possible measures to rescue victims of shipwrecks. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026

The 24-year-old was the first player withdrawn at the BayArena when he was replaced by Noni Madueke on 60 minutes after a subpar performance — a decision that proved correct from Arteta as Madueke won the late penalty that rescued a draw for his side. —Art De Roché, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026