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
Paying ransoms does not guarantee a return to normal business operations, and 35% of victims who paid a ransom, according to the in-house analysis of data, either did not receive decryption keys or received corrupted keys. —Davey Winder, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025 Some pay ransom to be freed, others escape and swim across the river. —Amy Gunia, CNN, 10 Mar. 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
  • If projections around the tariffs’ impact are correct, then getting some shopping done now could save you time and money later.
    — Sara Coughlin, SELF, 10 Apr. 2025
  • California family discusses ongoing legal and political battle to 'save girls' sports' as issue heats up Taylor and Ryan Starling of Riverside, California discussed their ongoing lawsuit over trans inclusion in girls' sports, speaking at the state capital and all the fallout that has come with it.
    — Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of save
Noun
  • Sri Lanka worried that its economic recovery would be derailed as its clothing industry faced new tariffs from its most important export market.
    — Time, Time, 10 Apr. 2025
  • However, Mariners executive vice president/general manager Justin Hollander appeared optimistic about Robles' recovery and downplayed surgery concerns.
    — Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of recovery
Verb
  • Hundreds had to be rescued, and most of the deaths were caused by vehicles getting stuck in high water.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2025
  • All five people were rescued and transported to Bay Area Hospital with minor injuries.
    — Charna Flam, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of rescue
Noun
  • Notre Dame is a popular brand, and after the Irish’s dramatic offseason, Hidalgo is set up for a redemption arc.
    — Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The spectacle of Majors’s redemption tour has certainly overshadowed the work of the Magazine Dreams creative team and crew, as well as that of the rest of the cast.
    — Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of redemption
Verb
  • Raise your status to redeem better bonuses and discounts for traveling. NHL fans can find a Hat Trick Jackpot.
    — Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Customers may redeem a free Ben & Jerry's scoop of their choice, cone included, at any participating Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shop on Free Cone Day.
    — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of redeem
Noun
  • In this anime, when a mysterious villain threatens to open the gates of Hell, a devilishly handsome demon hunter could be the world’s best hope for salvation.
    — Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Standing inside the winner’s circle after piloting Tappan Street to victory in the $1 million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, Saez sensed the real possibility that the colt could be his salvation – his redemption.
    — Clark Spencer, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2025
Definition of salvation
Noun
  • More recently, Knox has found deliverance in her decision to reach out to, and eventually befriend, Giuliano Mignini, who prosecuted her case.
    — Rachel Brodsky, Rolling Stone, 24 Mar. 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

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 15 Apr. 2025.

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