save 1 of 2

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as in to redeem
to free from the penalties or consequences of sin the Christian belief that Jesus lived and died to save humanity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to rescue
to remove from danger or harm the firefighters managed to save the family just as the burning building was collapsing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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save

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preposition

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb save contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of save are deliver, ransom, reclaim, redeem, and rescue. While all these words mean "to set free from confinement or danger," 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

In what contexts can deliver take the place of save?

The words deliver and save 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

Where would ransom be a reasonable alternative to save?

Although the words ransom and save have much in common, ransom specifically applies to buying out of captivity.

tried to ransom the kidnap victim

When is reclaim a more appropriate choice than save?

In some situations, the words reclaim and save are roughly equivalent. However, reclaim suggests a bringing back to a former state or condition of someone or something abandoned or debased.

reclaimed long-abandoned farms

When would redeem be a good substitute for save?

While in some cases nearly identical to save, 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 could rescue be used to replace save?

The synonyms rescue and save are sometimes interchangeable, but rescue implies freeing from imminent danger by prompt or vigorous action.

rescued the crew of a sinking ship

Examples 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 save
Verb
But she’s saved by her father, who speaks for the first time. Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 20 Nov. 2024 Community support may save Walker's Point Youth & Family Center from closing at the end of the year, according to the youth shelter's executive director Audra O’Connell. Gina Lee Castro, Journal Sentinel, 20 Nov. 2024
Preposition
As of Sunday, all other airlines have already ended their flights to mainland China from SFO, which normally has more departures to China than any other U.S. airport save Los Angeles International. Mallory Moench, SFChronicle.com, 12 Feb. 2020 But all the candidates save Sanders were in Selma on Thursday to mark the 55th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. Howard Koplowitz | Hkoplowitz@al.com, al, 4 Mar. 2020 See all Example Sentences for save 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for save
Verb
  • By integrating loyalty points as a payment option at the point of sale both online and in-store, consumers won’t have to think twice about tapping their digital wallet to redeem or selecting the points balance option online.
    Len Covello, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
  • The current program allows the state to issue up to $150 million per year in film credits, and allows producers to redeem up to $180 million.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 22 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • The event celebrated and raised funds for the Vanderpump Dog Foundation’s efforts in rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming dogs.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024
  • In all, Arndt and his neighbor rescued 15 people, 10 pets, and a bearded dragon, Morris said.
    Jess Craig, Vox, 17 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • This approach is exhausting and drains the limited willpower we are meant to conserve.
    Shane Enete, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
  • Threat level: The feds are working to conserve monarchs.
    Carlie Kollath Wells, Axios, 19 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • In Trump's second term, Hassett would join a White House seeking to preserve and expand its 2017 tax cuts at a time when deficit pressures are weighing on federal borrowing costs.
    Compiled byDemocrat-Gazette staff from wire reports, arkansasonline.com, 27 Nov. 2024
  • In March of that year, as swarms of the butterflies appeared in the Middle East and the Mediterranean, the citizen scientists netted butterfly samples, then preserved them in an alcohol mixture and shipped them to Talavera’s lab.
    Saugat Bolakhe, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • It’s thought to be the first online platform dedicated specifically to helping legal immigrants navigate America’s complicated immigration landscape.
    David Nath, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2024
  • Today, his mother has dedicated herself to ensuring other Louisville youths aren't caught up in the cycle of gun violence plaguing the city, our Rachel Smith reports.
    Ray Padilla, The Courier-Journal, 7 Nov. 2024
Preposition
  • At Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort, face masks are required in public areas, except when dining or swimming, capacity of public areas will be limited, and housekeeping and public area attendants will increase their cleaning procedures.
    Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 4 June 2020
  • The city advised all residents to stay inside except those going to and from work and anyone seeking or giving emergency care, according to Mayor Eric Garcetti's official Twitter account.
    NBC News, NBC News, 1 June 2020
Verb
  • More from Personal Finance: Thanksgiving meals are expected to be cheaper in 2024 Could Trump reinstate forgiven student debt?
    Lorie Konish, CNBC, 21 Nov. 2024
  • Here's what experts say about the chances of another stimulus check What does Spirit Airlines' bankruptcy mean for you? 5 ways to tackle your credit card debt before the holidays Want to have your credit card debt forgiven?
    Kate Gibson, CBS News, 20 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Regardless of the specific charges against her, Jean McConville was the victim of a war crime, disappeared by the IRA to spare them the public shame of dumping the corpse of a young widow and mother on the street.
    Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 16 Nov. 2024
  • If it was chopped down, Reeder could lie across the stump with more than a foot to spare.
    April Ehrlich, ProPublica, 12 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near save

Cite this Entry

“Save.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/save. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.

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