Ransom

/ˈɹæn.səm/ · noun

Meaning

Money paid for the freeing of a hostage..

Definitions by Sense

1. Money paid for the freeing of a hostage.
2. The release of a captive, or of captured property, by payment of a consideration.
3. (historical, law, UK) A sum paid for the pardon of some great offence and the discharge of the offender; also, a fine paid in lieu of corporal punishment.
4. (obsolete) To deliver, especially in context of sin or relevant penalties.
5. To pay a price to set someone free from captivity or punishment.
6. To exact a ransom (payment) in exchange for the freedom of.

Example Sentences

They were held for two million dollars ransom.

They were held to ransom.

Thy ransom paid, which man from death redeems.

His captivity in Austria, and the heavy ransom he paid for his liberty.

"I'll give thee for my ransom the very best harnéss That either young or old in the world doth possess."

As rich as was the ransom Priam paid for Hektor, Hermes says, his remaining sons at Troy “'would give three times as much ransom / for you, who are alive, were Atreus' son Agamemnon / to recognize you.'”

prisoners hopeless of ransom

Till the fair slave be rendered to her sire; And ransom-free restored to his abode

Synonyms for ransom

Antonyms for ransom

Related Words

Word Forms

• ransoms
• ransoming
• ransomed

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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