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

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
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 After a nearby hospital is hacked and ransomed, the higher-ups decide to defend its system by shutting it down, which means business must be conducted in the old-fashioned, paper-and-clipboards way. — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
Such attacks are common in Nigeria, where multiple armed groups operate, killing and kidnapping people for ransom. — ABC News, 22 Aug. 2026 As bomb technicians struggled to disarm the explosive, the FBI raced against the clock to deliver the ransom while simultaneously hunting the extortionists. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026 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
  • As impressive as many space-saving tiny houses are, not everyone is cut out for climbing into small lofts using movable ladders, or sleeping on a sofa bed every night.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Goldman found Koreans in their sixties save more than any other age group, retaining 37% of their income.
    — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of save
Noun
  • Allen was an obvious choice after the MVP vote, and Mahomes was still an easy choice for most of the panel despite the ACL recovery.
    — Jeff Howe, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The company additionally refers to a multi-stage Rankine cycle, enthalpy recovery, supercharging, and green-ammonia synthesis as parts of DOT.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of recovery
Verb
  • The Fire Department rescued numerous residents who had become trapped by the flames, which were seen bursting from the building, KCTV5 reported at the time.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Rescuers are still working to search and rescue any potential survivors trapped in a hydropower tunnel in the Rasuwa district.
    — Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of rescue
Noun
  • Through struggle, sacrifice, and an unwavering yearning for justice, Valjean strives to complete his path to redemption and give Cosette a future filled with love and freedom.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Senior quarterback Jameson Purcell was looking for redemption.
    — Bobby Narang, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of redemption
Verb
  • This is a new-user offer, and licenses must be redeemed within 30 days of purchase.
    — StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The coupon refreshes daily in the Wendy's app, allowing customers to redeem it each day during the promotion.
    — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of redeem
Noun
  • To all you long-suffering Halos fans, light that baby up, because salvation is at hand.
    — Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Only Ann Patchett could write such a pleasant, amiable novel about death, and only a horse could serve as her essential metaphor for peaceful salvation.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of salvation
Noun
  • 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
  • Not Taylor Swift, not Timothée Chalamet, not any of the Wall Street masters of the universe and the Big Law partners and the Hollywood celebrities who thrashed violently in their seats when OG Anunoby came flying in as a deliverance — his fingertips seemingly sent from heaven.
    — Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 14 June 2026
Definition of deliverance

Phrases Containing ransom

Browse Nearby Words

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 5 Sep. 2026.

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