save 1 of 2

1
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

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 save
Verb
The bracelet was then sold to a gold foundry worker for $4,000, who melted it down with other metals before authorities could save it. Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025 The new reservation system is an upgrade to the previous program, South by Express, which allowed attendees to save their seats 24-48 hours in advance. Angelique Jackson, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025
Preposition
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 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 See All Example Sentences for save
Recent Examples of Synonyms for save
Verb
  • One important caveat is, new JAL Mileage Bank members must wait seven days before redeeming miles.
    Meghan Hunter, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
  • That seems like quite a serious undertaking for a half-hour comedy about a disgraced former college football player who sets off to redeem himself by catfishing his way into becoming the quarterback for an underdog team in south Georgia.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Season 3 picks up with the Monster Association arc, as S-class heroes band together to rescue a hostage taken by monsters claiming affiliation with the villainous organization.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Oct. 2025
  • According to motorists who helped firefighters rescue the passengers of the Airbus E130 helicopter on the eastbound lanes of Highway 50, Smith had been pinned beneath the helicopter and was not responsive when she was taken to UCDMC.
    Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Iran can achieve that by abandoning water-hungry crops, shifting to smart farming, conserving every drop, and reviving flood-management techniques Iranians once mastered to recharge depleted aquifers.
    Nik Kowsar, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Overwintering October Magic® Ivory™ Camellia plants benefit from a layer of mulch in winter to moderate soil temperatures and conserve moisture.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Donate today to preserve the quality and integrity of local journalism.
    Ella McCarthy, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Direct communication from the company—rather than through media spin—can help preserve confidence and reduce reputational harm.
    Tim Reynolds, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • There have been cautionary tales on that front in the past, with the Cup-less Leafs dedicating 50 percent of their cap to their Core Four in the flat-cap era standing out as one good (or bad) example.
    James Mirtle, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Moody has been dedicating her practice to helping clients navigate the AI space and counsels nearly a dozen generative voice and audio AI companies.
    Claudia Rosenbaum, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025
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
  • You’d be forgiven for not knowing, since MotoGP, despite being the most prestigious motorcycle racing series in the world, is still a niche sport.
    Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 6 Oct. 2025
  • You’ll be forgiven for not spending a lot of time thinking about zip ties.
    Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But his immediate contrition was not enough to spare him a red card at the next break in play, or to disguise the fact that nerves are fraying everywhere — not least in the coach’s office.
    Steve Madeley, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Every day, your immune system performs a delicate balancing act, defending you from thousands of pathogens that cause disease while sparing your body’s own healthy cells.
    Aimee Pugh Bernard, The Conversation, 6 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Save.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/save. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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