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

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

ransom 1 of 2

verb

Definition of ransom next

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

How does the verb ransom contrast with its synonyms?

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?

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

Are there negotiations connected to ransom demands? —

Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026 Abu Sayyaf was particularly notorious for kidnapping and ransoming foreigners. —

Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 17 Dec. 2025

Noun

Some disappearances came with ransom demands. —

Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026 Those tasks included going to a bank for ransom money. —

Lauren Clark, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ransom

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ransom

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

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

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Synonyms of ransom

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Synonyms of ransom

verb

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