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

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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

That posting also stated that TeamPCP is not holding GitHub to ransom but rather just looking to sell to a single buyer after which the data will be shredded. — Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026 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

Noun

Authorities say the men also called TdA leaders about the kidnapping and ransom. — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 5 Oct. 2026 With only a few hours to raise the ransom, they’re pushed to desperate measures. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ransom

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ransom

Verb

Yes, but this doesn’t save a business from the compliance nightmare.

— Daniel Kjellén, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
The first in the ACOTAR series, the romantasy novel introduces us to Feyre Archeron, a human woman who agrees to go live in the fairie realm of Prythian in order to save her family.

— Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of save

Noun

New government pursues asset recovery Before the election, Magyar promised to bring those responsible for past abuses to justice and to recover public assets misused under Orbán.

— Justin Spike, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
While firefighters were searching for the Trotters’ children, a senior disaster recovery official named Jeremy Klass sent a message asking if horses needed evacuation.

— Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of recovery

Verb

The Los Angeles city attorney’s office is suing an animal rescue organization that was once a favorite among Hollywood celebrities, alleging that its owner purchased dogs from puppy mills and portrayed them to adopters as animals that were rescued.

— Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
As voters decide which party can best rescue their chance at the American Dream, political experts say prolonged economic hardship is the defining feature influencing voters in the midterms.

— Amy L. Wong, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of rescue

Noun

The county expects modules for the annual tax sale and redemptions for overdue bills will be finished by December.

— A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Beneath the spy plots, then, is a fond portrait of a group of people held in perpetual disgrace for their shortcomings, and thus forced to find individual paths to redemption.

— Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of redemption

Verb

But the news took a turn when employees reportedly were given a phishing test email disguised as a chance to redeem their rings.

— Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Each point is worth 1 cent and 200 points can be redeemed for $2 off convenience store items or an extra 5 cents per gallon discount on fuel.

— Dan Avery, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of redeem

Noun

When something as harmless as double texting is seen as a cringey faux pas, salvation takes a backseat to saving face.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
What began as an academic dispute became a public controversy, and questions about indulgences soon expanded into larger debates about salvation, Scripture, and papal authority.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 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 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of ransom

verb

noun

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Phrases Containing ransom

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