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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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 Despite Anna’s meticulous preparations, her intent to force confessions from the passengers and deliver them directly to authorities is immediately derailed when just hours into the trip one of her guests is murdered. —Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2025 This multi-faceted body of work traces the entire human experience delivering both a relatable and universal piece of art that audiences can make their own. —Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 10 June 2025 France’s Pil’s Adventures show will launch in several months’ time and the creative team are hoping this set of 52 mini adventures can deliver sustained success. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 10 June 2025 Some people think forceps by doctors delivering babies in the ‘50s caused brain damage in infants. —Time, 10 June 2025 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
  • Molly saves the day, grabbing a teapot from a closet, where she’s been saving a secret stash of cash.
    — Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
  • Beachgoers in Florida sprung into action to try to save a 5-year-old who was drowning.
    — Jennifer Rodriguez, Miami Herald, 8 June 2025
Definition of save
Verb
  • Stern, a multiple-tour combat veteran of the U.S. Army and Navy who now rescues people for a living, told Fox News Digital.
    — Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 8 June 2025
  • The Oscar winner and nominee, respectively, star as Kevin McKay and Mary Ludwig, a bus driver and a teacher, who helped rescue a bus full of children.
    — McKinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 8 June 2025
Definition of rescue
Verb
  • In addition there are concerns about relinquishing control of monetary policy as countries in the euro zone are subject to decisions by the ECB, Tursa added.
    — Sophie Kiderlin, CNBC, 10 June 2025
  • The nonprofit Consumer Watchdog argued that the bill would relinquish state control of California’s famously ambitious clean energy policies.
    — Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 6 June 2025
Definition of relinquish
Verb
  • Starting in 2014, Florida universities provided in-state tuition waivers for undocumented students under certain conditions.
    — Clara-Sophia Daly, Miami Herald, 7 June 2025
  • Stankey believed substantially more content would increase viewer engagement, and that would provide more data, in turn enabling monetization through advertising and subscriptions.
    — Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
Definition of provide
Verb
  • The report said nearly a third of Britain’s 2.4M creative employees experience workplace conflict, resulting in people leaving jobs early or being out of work.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 10 June 2025
  • Guests are encouraged to leave their small army assistants and handlers behind (though some stash them in nearby hotels).
    — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 10 June 2025
Definition of leave
Verb
  • Believe it or not, these movies often succeed on restraint.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 13 June 2025
  • Conclusion: Designing For Clarity In A Complex World In a world of accelerating change, the leaders who succeed won’t be those who do the most, but those who do what matters, with clarity and discipline.
    — Aditii Handa, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Definition of succeed
Verb
  • The aggressive ones, by contrast, often produce symptoms between screenings and are diagnosed clinically.
    — Siddhartha Mukherjee, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
  • Lenox Corporation has also for years been tapped to design presidents’ official inauguration gifts for both parties — in 2021, the company produced specialty luxury crystal vases for Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
    — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 16 June 2025
Definition of produce
Verb
  • Lot holders know that tchotchkes aren’t allowed but that the grounds crew will indulge them, for a time.
    — Paige Williams, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
  • Strive to indulge once in a while without overdoing it.
    — Leigh Morgan, Quartz, 2 June 2025
Definition of indulge

Phrases Containing deliver

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deliver
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Cite this Entry

“Deliver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deliver. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

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