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
Noun
But FanDuel’s rescue of SEPTA’s line to the Eagles game the day before the matchup is a sign of how transit operators must scramble for funding, transit experts say. Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025 Tresa Baldas has more on her rescue over the weekend. Leah Olajide, Freep.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
Sky News reported, citing ministry reports, that 107 people died in this incident, while 209 survivors were rescued and 146 people were missing. Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2025 Everyone on board was safely rescued. Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rescue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rescue
Noun
  • Many members of the Venezuelan opposition, Straka said, have long relished calling out government supporters for treating Hugo Chávez, Maduro’s predecessor, as a messiah, but they can be faulted for believing, with similar fervor, that American salvation is coming.
    Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
  • At the film's center is Ingrid Luna/Aurora/the Spider Woman, the arbiter of Molina's salvation and the bearer of the kiss of death.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Her efforts saved the animal’s life and landed her in her hometown newspaper, The Mountain Eagle, which was the first to write about the dramatic rescue and resuscitation.
    Michael Collins, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • These annual gifts can also reduce the size of your taxable estate, saving more of your lifetime exemption for future inheritances.
    Nathalie Goldstein, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Aliyah Boston previously defended her teammate's decision to end her season and continue her recovery amid the team's playoff run.
    Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
  • On recovery, the fan collapses just as quickly, reducing drag.
    John Drake, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The final matchdays promise high drama, particularly for Nigeria, who now face an uphill battle to salvage its qualifying campaign.
    Sindiswa Mabunda, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Although the network attempted to salvage the situation by writing Sheen's character off and replacing him with Ashton Kutcher, the damage was done.
    Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Rescue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rescue. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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