ran·som
ˈran(t)-səm 
1
: a consideration paid or demanded for the release of someone or something from captivity
2
: the act of ransoming
ransomed; ransoming; ransoms
1
: to deliver especially from sin or its penalty
2
: to free from captivity or punishment by paying a price
ransomer
noun
Synonyms
Examples of ransom in a Sentence
Noun
The kidnappers demanded a ransom of one million dollars.
The family is willing to pay ransom for his release.
The ransom note explained the terms under which she would be released.
Verb
He was held captive for a week before he was ransomed and returned to his family.
the prince emptied the treasury to ransom his son from the kidnappers
Recent Examples on the Web
Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
The Captive Spanish director Alejandro Amenábar explores Don Quixote author Miguel de Cervantes’ life changing experiences when he was captured by Turkish pirates in 1575 and held for ransom.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 1 Jan. 2025
Youmna Melhem Chamieh, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
The contributions were indeed necessary, for without them there would be no way, for example, to ransom Jewish captives (a major concern of the Diaspora communities throughout the Middle Ages), help the poor and the sick, provide for orphans, or fund synagogues and schools.
—Michael Walzer, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2011
See all Example Sentences for ransom 
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Noun
But a few years later, one of the ransom payment’s gold certificates showed up at a bank in New York City.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
The Captive Spanish director Alejandro Amenábar explores Don Quixote author Miguel de Cervantes’ life changing experiences when he was captured by Turkish pirates in 1575 and held for ransom.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 1 Jan. 2025
Verb
While Mikhail managed to escape by climbing out a window and taking refuge in a nearby nunnery, the men took his son hostage, and Mikhail was not able to ransom him until several days later.
—Youmna Melhem Chamieh, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
The contributions were indeed necessary, for without them there would be no way, for example, to ransom Jewish captives (a major concern of the Diaspora communities throughout the Middle Ages), help the poor and the sick, provide for orphans, or fund synagogues and schools.
—Michael Walzer, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2011
See all Example Sentences for ransom
Dictionary Entries Near ransom
Cite this Entry
“Ransom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ransom. Accessed 26 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ransom
1 of 2 noun
ran·som
ˈran(t)-səm
1
: something paid or demanded for the freedom of a captured person
2
: the act of ransoming
ransom
2 of 2 verb
: to free from captivity or punishment by paying a price
ransomer
noun
Biographical Definition
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