Thesaurus results for RANSOM

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

ransom 1 of 2

verb

Definition of ransom

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

Related 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

Despite the hype, Kyber suggests that PQC is attracting the attention of less technically inclined attorneys and executives deciding how to respond to ransom demands. — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2026 The Guthrie family has publicly responded to ransom notes with video messages, offering to pay for their mother's return home, but have not received a response. — Alana Wise, NPR, 6 Apr. 2026

Noun

Other ransom notes have been determined to be fake in an effort to make a profit. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 30 Sep. 2026 The sheriff's department and the FBI Guthrie Task Force were recently made aware of the possible ransom note as well as social media comments related to it, the statement from the sheriff's department said Monday. — ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ransom

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ransom

Verb

In what was actually an uneventful game for nearly three full quarters, each squad decided to save their best theatrics until the final minutes.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
The Texas Senate race is the most expensive race in the country right now, and Republicans are pouring $200 million to save the nominee there.

— Jacob Brogan, Vox, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of save

Noun

What begins as a straightforward trip to rehab quickly spirals into a journey packed with mishaps, revelations and unexpected connections, forcing both Lucy and Tim to confront the messy realities of fame, family and recovery.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
However, the higher PPI is pointing to an economy that is gradually moving away from deflationary pressures even if the recovery remains uneven, said Hao Zhou, chief economist at Guotai Junan International Holdings.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of recovery

Verb

That’s why the researchers say the tool could be useful for rescuing endangered species with a few individuals left—scientists could create fertile breeding pairs using just one male donor.

— Gennaro Tomma, Scientific American, 13 Oct. 2026
This 23-foot-long mock-up was part of the USS Enterprise's basic design and was rescued from demolition some 14 years ago when Schneider purchased it at a 2012 memorabilia auction for $61,000.

— Jeff Spry, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of rescue

Noun

This card earns cash back as ThankYou® Points, and each point is worth 1 cent toward cash-back redemptions.

— Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
In my own cautionary tale, Sister needs redemption as much as Scrooge does; events of the past have made her bitter, ungenerous, and generally no fun to be around.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of redemption

Verb

Citi's travel rewards program is officially called Citi ThankYou® Rewards, and ThankYou® Points can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, merchandise, travel, transfers to travel programs and more.

— Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
Every wager on theScore Bet earns PENN Play Rewards that can be redeemed for bonus bets or turned into real-world perks at PENN properties.

— OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of redeem

Noun

Many before and since have grappled with the price of salvation, but rarely has such a theologically vast decision felt this intimate.

— Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026
Terrible secrets resurface from the past, and Elma’s colleague, Saevar (Nikulás Hansen Daðason), could prove to be her only salvation.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of salvation

Noun

But for those who find (and in some cases may be slightly mystified as to why) that there is a nagging, needling value to Schrader’s ongoing project of tussling with grandiose dilemmas of transgression and deliverance, there is some new news here.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 4 Sep. 2026
Emotions ran deep among the multinational assemblage of emergency workers who witnessed one man’s improbable deliverance.

— Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026

Definition of deliverance

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ransacks

ransom

ransomed

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Style

“Ransom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ransom. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of ransom

verb

noun

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Synonyms of ransom

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Phrases Containing ransom

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Articles Related to ransom

The Words of the Week - Feb. 27

Cite this Entry

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