ransom 1 of 2

verb

Definition of ransomnext
as in to save
to free from captivity or punishment by paying a price the prince emptied the treasury to ransom his son from the kidnappers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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ransom

2 of 2

noun

as in recovery

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb ransom contrast with its synonyms?

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

tried to ransom the kidnap victim

When is deliver a more appropriate choice than ransom?

The words deliver and ransom 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

In what contexts can reclaim take the place of ransom?

The meanings of reclaim and ransom largely overlap; however, reclaim suggests a bringing back to a former state or condition of someone or something abandoned or debased.

reclaimed long-abandoned farms

When is it sensible to use redeem instead of ransom?

The synonyms redeem and ransom are sometimes interchangeable, 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 might rescue be a better fit than ransom?

In some situations, the words rescue and ransom are roughly equivalent. However, rescue implies freeing from imminent danger by prompt or vigorous action.

rescued the crew of a sinking ship

Where would save be a reasonable alternative to ransom?

The words save and ransom can be used in similar contexts, but 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 ransom
Verb
They were taken by speedboats to the jungles of the southern Philippine province of Sulu, where they were held in harsh conditions before being mostly ransomed off using millions of dollars reportedly provided by then-Libyan leader Moammar Kadafi. —Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024 Nestor explains that the employee sold him out to some Haitians, who stole his product and now want to ransom it back to him. —Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 16 June 2024
Noun
Finally, the attacker seemed to be serious about collecting a ransom from the victim and appeared to have spent time corresponding with them. —Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 13 Feb. 2025 Once the original data was encrypted, the men and others involved in the scheme would allegedly extort the victims for ransom payments in exchange for keys that would allow the victims to access the data again. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ransom
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ransom
  1. save
  2. recovery
  3. rescue
  4. redemption
  5. redeem
  6. salvation
  7. deliverance
Verb
  • The seating plan, called WILMA, which stands for window-middle-aisle, will save up to two minutes on the boarding process for each flight.
    — Sydney Borchers, Fox News, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Find even more tech deals at Walmart today, and keep on saving!
    — Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of save
Noun
  • Joel Cohen told me years ago that recovery stories were boring.
    — Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Mar. 2025
  • McDaniel said that if weather and conditions allow for it, troopers plan to assess avalanche conditions from the air and then determine recovery options.
    — Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of recovery
Verb
  • Among my very highest priorities is to rescue our economy and get dramatic and immediate relief to working families.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Greta and Szymon After being rescued, Greta's husband—a.k.a.
    — Isabella Wandermurem, TIME, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of rescue
Noun
  • Eight years after a weekend of leaky tents, insufficient bathrooms and a lack of running water, Fyre Festival is back for redemption.
    — Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Laughed out loud at this C Chris C. · 9h 37m ago Binnington’s redemption arc from national pariah to national hero will be studied for 100 years.
    — Sean McIndoe, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
Definition of redemption
Verb
  • This ticket must be redeemed at the Tallahassee main office or one of the Florida Lottery district offices, which are open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
  • So, for example, 100 Sweeps Coins can be redeemed for $100.
    — Daniel Wallach, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Definition of redeem
Noun
  • Europe, meanwhile, sees AI as its industrial salvation.
    — Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
  • This salvation would become what would finally tear them apart, not to be reunited for another 40 years.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 21 Feb. 2025
Definition of salvation
Noun
  • This is our deliverance from mediocrity and indolence — our greatest national security threat.
    — Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 30 Jan. 2025
  • Eighty years later, some former prisoners returned to mark the 80th anniversary of their deliverance — a date that is known as International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
    — Jesse Kirsch, NBC News, 27 Jan. 2025
Definition of deliverance

Phrases Containing ransom

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Cite this Entry

“Ransom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ransom. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

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