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
After the ransom was paid, Hamm was released near Wyoming, Minnesota. —Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2025 But should any actions warrant a ransom of $8 billion in return for your freedom, your freedom of speech, and educational freedom? —Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 10 May 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
  • His defensive metrics rank among the worst out of all qualified third basemen, with -7 outs above average and -8 defensive runs saved.
    — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 28 May 2025
  • Both teams had their first two penalties saved, before Steaua eventually got themselves together to score two… which was enough because Barca missed all four of theirs.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 28 May 2025
Definition of save
Noun
  • Modules have solar, heat pumps, hydronic heating and cooling, energy recovery ventilation, and smart home controls to monitor energy use.
    — Jennifer Castenson, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • These data points inform TD Cowen’s view that Starbucks’ same-store sales recovery in North America in the coming years will not progress as fast as Wall Street currently expects.
    — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 29 May 2025
Definition of recovery
Verb
  • Israeli forces have rescued eight and recovered dozens of bodies.
    — Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
  • Not long after that, Garland also rescued Dangermouse, whose eye had to be removed at around 12 weeks old due to an infection.
    — Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
Definition of rescue
Noun
  • The album and the redemption were more than 30 years in the making.
    — Dan Kelly, Kansas City Star, 25 May 2025
  • The company announced that Royal Perks members would get a chance to score a hamburger for only 125 crowns — which is half the usual redemption cost — for the entire month.
    — Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 23 May 2025
Definition of redemption
Verb
  • Wider adoption of stablecoins may coincide with participation by non-bank firms, which may result in assets that lack the protection of federal deposit insurance and the anti-fraud stipulations allowing users to redeem funds spent wrongfully or mistakenly, some experts said.
    — Max Zahn, ABC News, 28 May 2025
  • In addition to purchases at GM dealerships, the credit card also allows customers to gain and redeem points on digital services like most OnStar plans and Super Cruise, the hands-free driver assistance technology.
    — Jackie Charniga, USA Today, 23 May 2025
Definition of redeem
Noun
  • Prophecies about salvation, spiritual warfare, and diabolic foes merged seamlessly into American evangelicalism; the disorientation of the pandemic deepened the appeal, and Q’s ideas found believers among yoga instructors, wellness influencers, and suburban moms.
    — Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 17 May 2025
  • Alas, the shape of his life doesn’t bend toward salvation, just as Dickinson’s film doesn’t guide him towards any sort of narrative salvation.
    — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 17 May 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 4 Jun. 2025.

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