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
About 2,600 people paid this ransom, a total of more than $220,000. —David Segal, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 In a clip from DJ Akademiks’ podcast, Cannon — who’s part of the Rollin’ 60s Crip gang and is behind bars for federal charges surrounding a RICO case — claimed that Ross paid off a $50,000 ransom to release Mill. —Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 26 Mar. 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
  • If projections around the tariffs’ impact are correct, then getting some shopping done now could save you time and money later.
    — Sara Coughlin, SELF, 10 Apr. 2025
  • California family discusses ongoing legal and political battle to 'save girls' sports' as issue heats up Taylor and Ryan Starling of Riverside, California discussed their ongoing lawsuit over trans inclusion in girls' sports, speaking at the state capital and all the fallout that has come with it.
    — Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of save
Noun
  • Sri Lanka worried that its economic recovery would be derailed as its clothing industry faced new tariffs from its most important export market.
    — Time, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
  • However, Mariners executive vice president/general manager Justin Hollander appeared optimistic about Robles' recovery and downplayed surgery concerns.
    — Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of recovery
Verb
  • Hundreds had to be rescued, and most of the deaths were caused by vehicles getting stuck in high water.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Now, the man who cuckolded him has also rescued him from certain death.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of rescue
Noun
  • For those who do teach their children about the Bible, this movie is a great way to introduce this entertaining story of redemption and purpose to kids and tweens.
    — Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 18 Apr. 2025
  • How much guilt is your Misty carrying about breaking the airplane transponder, and is this now her moment of redemption?
    — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of redemption
Verb
  • Raise your status to redeem better bonuses and discounts for traveling. NHL fans can find a Hat Trick Jackpot.
    — Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Customers may redeem a free Ben & Jerry's scoop of their choice, cone included, at any participating Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shop on Free Cone Day.
    — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of redeem
Noun
  • Interim head coach Nick Cushing is in the dugout, having replaced Gareth Taylor in the club’s attempt at silverware in the Women’s League Cup final, only to discover every salvation project has its limits.
    — Megan Feringa, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • And yet the series is less a document of careful sleuthing and more a shaggy chronicle of teen-like longing for revelation and salvation.
    — Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of salvation
Noun
  • Wine • Four glasses of wine are poured to represent the four stages of the Exodus: freedom, deliverance, redemption and release.
    — Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 11 Apr. 2025
  • His corpse is down the street from a brothel, and below a billboard advertisement for a priest who promises miracles and deliverance.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 4 Mar. 2025
Definition of deliverance

Phrases Containing ransom

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ransacks
ransom
ransomed
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Cite this Entry

“Ransom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ransom. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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