ransom

[ ran-suhm ]

/ ˈræn səm /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR ransom ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the redemption of a prisoner, slave, or kidnapped person, of captured goods, etc., for a price.

the sum or price paid or demanded.

a means of deliverance or rescue from punishment for sin, especially the payment of a redemptive fine.

verb (used with object)

to redeem from captivity, bondage, detention, etc., by paying a demanded price.

to release or restore on receipt of a ransom.

to deliver or redeem from punishment for sin.

Nearby words

rankism, rankle, rankly, rankshift, ransack, ransom, ransom, john crowe, ransome, ransomware, rant, rant and rave

Origin of ransom

1150–1200; (noun) Middle English ransoun < Old French rançon < Late Latin redēmptiōn- (stem of redēmptiō) redemption; (v.) Middle English ransounen < Old French rançonner, derivative of rançon

SYNONYMS FOR ransom

1 deliverance, liberation, release.

4 See redeem.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR ransom ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsran·som·er, nounun·ran·somed, adjective

Definition for ransom (2 of 2)

Ransom

[ ran-suh m ]

/ ˈræn səm /

noun

John Crowe

[kroh] /kroʊ/, 1888–1974, U.S. poet, critic, and teacher.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for ransom

“I noticed something,” I say to Marvin, feeling a little like Ransom Stoddard, attorney at law.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
At the same time, we should expect a rise in kidnapping for ransom.
To Kill the ISIS Monster You Gotta Do More Than Cut Off Its Money|Charlie Winter|November 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
FBI spokesman Paul Bresson said that the bureau fully complies with U.S. policy as it relates to ransom payments.
A 26-Year-Old Woman Is ISIS’s Last American Hostage|Shane Harris|November 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
European governments, for their part, have long agreed to pay groups like ISIS ransom money.
Foley Family to White House: You Saved Bergdahl. Why Not Our Son?|Eli Lake|October 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Where do you think the ransom money for Western hostages is going?
Turkey’s Attitude Toward ISIS? Sympathy for the Devil|Jamie Dettmer|October 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A few days after this passed, ambassadors came from Cotys, king of Thrace, bringing money to ransom his son and the said hostages.
The History of Rome, Books 37 to the End|Titus Livius
But Ransom was no fool and, stepping back out of the way of temptation, he allowed him to escape without further parley.
The Chief Legatee|Anna Katharine Green
Does he bear so much suffering by way of ransom for the sins of his father, his mother, and his grandfather?
The Day of Wrath|Maurus Jkai
She might be asleep; that was why Ransom moderated the process of his long legs as he came round through the house to join her.
The Bostonians, Vol. II (of II)|Henry James
I give King Bjorn the Victorious three moons in which to bring me the ransom.
Boyhood in Norway|Hjalmar Hjorth Boyesen

British Dictionary definitions for ransom (1 of 2)

ransom

/ (ˈrænsəm) /

noun

the release of captured prisoners, property, etc, on payment of a stipulated price

the price demanded or stipulated for such a release

rescue or redemption of any kind

hold to ransom

to keep (prisoners, property, etc) in confinement until payment for their release is made or received
to attempt to force (a person or persons) to comply with one's demands

a king's ransom a very large amount of money or valuables

verb (tr)

to pay a stipulated price and so obtain the release of (prisoners, property, etc)

to set free (prisoners, property, etc) upon receiving the payment demanded

to redeem; rescueChrist ransomed men from sin

Derived Formsransomer, noun

Word Origin for ransom

C14: from Old French ransoun, from Latin redemptiō a buying back, redemption

British Dictionary definitions for ransom (2 of 2)

Ransom

/ (ˈrænsəm) /

noun

John Crowe . 1888–1974, US poet and critic

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for ransom (1 of 2)

ransom

c.1200, "sum paid for the release of a prisoner or captured man," from Old French ranson (Modern French rançon), earlier raenson "ransom, redemption," from Latin redemptionem (nominative redemptio) "a redeeming," from redimere (see redeem).

ransom

noun

verb (used with object)

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of ransom

Definition for ransom (2 of 2)

Ransom

noun

Examples from the Web for ransom

British Dictionary definitions for ransom (1 of 2)

ransom

noun

verb (tr)

Word Origin for ransom

British Dictionary definitions for ransom (2 of 2)

Ransom

noun

Word Origin and History for ransom (1 of 2)

ransom

Word Origin and History for ransom (1 of 2)

ransom

Idioms and Phrases with ransom

ransom