RESCUE Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'rescue' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rescue are deliver , ransom , reclaim , redeem , and save . While all these words mean "to set free from confinement or danger," rescue implies freeing from imminent danger by prompt or vigorous action. // rescued the crew of a sinking ship

Q: When is 'deliver' a more appropriate choice than 'rescue'?

In some situations, the words deliver and rescue are roughly equivalent. However, deliver implies release usually of a person from confinement, temptation, slavery, or suffering. // delivered his people from bondage

Q: When is it sensible to use 'ransom' instead of 'rescue'?

The synonyms ransom and rescue are sometimes interchangeable, but ransom specifically applies to buying out of captivity. // tried to ransom the kidnap victim

Q: In what contexts can 'reclaim' take the place of 'rescue'?

Although the words reclaim and rescue have much in common, reclaim suggests a bringing back to a former state or condition of someone or something abandoned or debased. // reclaimed long-abandoned farms

Q: When might 'redeem' be a better fit than 'rescue'?

The words redeem and rescue can be used in similar contexts, 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 can 'save' be used instead of 'rescue'?

The meanings of save and rescue largely overlap; however, 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

rescue 1 of 2

noun

Definition of rescue

as in salvation

the saving from danger or evil stranded people hoping for rescue from the rising floodwaters

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

rescue

2 of 2

verb

ˈre-(ˌ)skyü

as in to save

to remove from danger or harm an all-out effort to rescue a beached whale

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb rescue contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rescue are deliver, ransom, reclaim, redeem, and save. While all these words mean "to set free from confinement or danger," rescue implies freeing from imminent danger by prompt or vigorous action.

rescued the crew of a sinking ship

When is deliver a more appropriate choice than rescue?

In some situations, the words deliver and rescue are roughly equivalent. However, deliver implies release usually of a person from confinement, temptation, slavery, or suffering.

delivered his people from bondage

When is it sensible to use ransom instead of rescue?

The synonyms ransom and rescue are sometimes interchangeable, but ransom specifically applies to buying out of captivity.

tried to ransom the kidnap victim

In what contexts can reclaim take the place of rescue?

Although the words reclaim and rescue have much in common, reclaim suggests a bringing back to a former state or condition of someone or something abandoned or debased.

reclaimed long-abandoned farms

When might redeem be a better fit than rescue?

The words redeem and rescue can be used in similar contexts, 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 can save be used instead of rescue?

The meanings of save and rescue largely overlap; however, 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 rescue

Noun

The area has experienced unusually heavy rain since Wednesday that caused rivers to surge, flooding homes and forcing water rescues. — Anna Wilder, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026 While the couple had previously shared images from the day Kate completed the challenge, this particular photo—which included mountain rescue teams—had never been seen before. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 25 Oct. 2026

Verb

She was rescued from a wildlife trafficking network by the Congolese Wildlife Authority and the nongovernmental organization Gorilla Doctors. — Elodie Toto, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 His interview with O’Donnell relates his story—a faulty parachute, a tough crash, a long bloody hike, and survival until he was rescued by an American plane—in a genuinely moving way. — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rescue

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rescue

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

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

Part of the original façade is still visible today, while in the gardens, the original Madonnina salvaged from the old chapel stands as an enduring reminder of the property’s rich history.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Over the years, volunteers have salvaged everything from nearly intact kitchens (though this is increasingly rare) to individual cabinets and fittings, adding them to the collection.

— Tara Anne Dalbow, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of salvage

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rescripts

rescue

rescued

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“Rescue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rescue. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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verb

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