deliver

verb

di-ˈli-vər How to pronounce deliver (audio)
Definition of delivernext
1
as in to save
to free from the penalties or consequences of sin deliver us from evil

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2
as in to rescue
to remove from danger or harm the passengers waited for the rescue ship to come and deliver them

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to relinquish
to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress delivered up the ransom money

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4
as in to provide
to put (something) into the possession of someone for use or consumption the inn endeavors to deliver the luxuries that its well-heeled guests have come to expect

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5
as in to leave
to put (something) into the possession or safekeeping of another delivered the prisoners to the sheriff

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6
as in to succeed
to turn out as planned or desired finally, a summer blockbuster that delivers

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7
as in to produce
to bring forth from the womb she delivered four healthy babies

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8
as in to indulge
to give (oneself) over to something especially unrestrainedly deeply dissatisfied with his dissolute lifestyle, he resolved to deliver himself over to the ways of the Lord

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb deliver contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of deliver are ransom, reclaim, redeem, rescue, and save. While all these words mean "to set free from confinement or danger," deliver implies release usually of a person from confinement, temptation, slavery, or suffering.

delivered his people from bondage

When can ransom be used instead of deliver?

The words ransom and deliver are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ransom specifically applies to buying out of captivity.

tried to ransom the kidnap victim

Where would reclaim be a reasonable alternative to deliver?

In some situations, the words reclaim and deliver are roughly equivalent. 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 deliver?

The synonyms redeem and deliver 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

In what contexts can rescue take the place of deliver?

The words rescue and deliver can be used in similar contexts, but rescue implies freeing from imminent danger by prompt or vigorous action.

rescued the crew of a sinking ship

When could save be used to replace deliver?

Although the words save and deliver have much in common, 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 deliver At the same time, other robots handled basic tasks like delivering food and clearing trays. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2026 Traditionally, drone propulsion has split along two paths – larger uncrewed aircraft rely on fuel engines, which deliver higher power output and longer range but come with significant noise and heat signatures. —Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 29 Mar. 2026 The doctors worked out a way to deliver Henard’s chemotherapy at Childress Regional Medical Center, just 30 minutes down Highway 83 from the ranch in Wellington. —Caleb Hellerman, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026 These direct relationships of mutual candor and trust have been vital in delivering wins for the state where others reeled. —Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Hartford Courant, 29 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deliver
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deliver
  1. save
  2. rescue
  3. relinquish
  4. provide
  5. leave
  6. succeed
  7. produce
  8. indulge
Verb
  • As gas prices continue to climb across the Bay Area, lawmakers are considering a temporary suspension of the federal gas tax, an idea that could save drivers about 18 cents per gallon.
    — Da Lin, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
  • King had saved this view, and their first decent cup of coffee, for the end of the course.
    — Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of save
Verb
  • But Emma said the Russian government showed little interest in rescuing her sister, pointing to Elizabeth's public opinions online as a human rights activist.
    — Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
  • This gentle girl was a stray who was rescued and has adjusted well to her new environment.
    — Maryanne Dell, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026
Definition of rescue
Verb
  • If the pair are Shea’s biological parents, Score and Mills would like to learn more about them — but not necessarily relinquish custody of Shea, Hatfield said.
    — Elizabeth Chuck, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
  • In their eyes, the global economy is to blame for their unsatisfactory job prospects, feminism is to blame for their failures with women, minority rights are forcing them to relinquish their privilege as straight men, and so on.
    — Miriam Eve Mora, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of relinquish
Verb
  • The challenge is that manure is already extremely nutrient-dense—often providing far more nitrogen and phosphorus than even a productive garden requires.
    — Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026
  • The district spokesperson said Friday that as part of its contingency planning, LAUSD is preparing to provide take-home instructional materials and access to online learning, along with devices and internet connectivity where needed.
    — Teresa Liu, Daily News, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of provide
Verb
  • These learnings now sit at the foundation of the Buahan concept and not only ensure that the hotel leaves a positive impact on the community, but also provide guests a level of immersion into the Balinese way of life that few other hotels of this caliber have managed to deliver.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
  • That leaves a sicker, older, more expensive pool of enrollees, which pushes up premiums for everyone.
    — Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Definition of leave
Verb
  • This shift can only succeed when the value returned to individuals is significant, transparent, and immediate.
    — Alex Israel, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Texas succeeded most of the NCAA tournament with a lockdown defensive effort and got a shooting boost from Rori Harmon and Booker.
    — Marisa Ingemi, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of succeed
Verb
  • This story was produced with financial support from Trish and Dan Bell and donors in South Florida’s Jewish and Muslim communities, including Khalid and Diana Mirza and the Mohsin and Fauzia Jaffer Foundation, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners.
    — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Back-to-back one-out doubles from Pete Crow-Armstrong and Miguel Amaya produced the Cubs’ lone run in the third.
    — Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of produce
Verb
  • Being gentle with yourself is a form of bravery, so go ahead and indulge your softer side.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Her girlfriend — a writer who understands the emotional and mental demands of creating — indulges her interests.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2026
Definition of indulge

Phrases Containing deliver

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delists
deliver
deliverance
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Cite this Entry

“Deliver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deliver. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on deliver

Nglish: Translation of deliver for Spanish Speakers

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