hostage
5 synonyms and 0 antonyms for hostage, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A person held captive to force someone else to do, or not do, something.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use hostage
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French hostage, likely tracing back either to hoste ("host," via the idea of someone taken into "lodging" turning into captivity) or to a Latin word for "captive."
Full origin of hostage →Frequently asked questions
What does “hostage” mean?
The word “hostage” means a person held captive to force someone else to do, or not do, something. In plain terms, a person held captive to pressure someone else, or figuratively, anything that restricts your freedom.
How do you pronounce “hostage”?
“Hostage” is pronounced HOS-tihj (/ˈhɑs.tɪd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “hostage” in a sentence?
Here is “hostage” used in a sentence: “The gunman took two bank employees hostage.”
What part of speech is “hostage”?
“Hostage” is a noun.
Where does the word “hostage” come from?
The word “hostage” comes from Latin. From Old French hostage, likely tracing back either to hoste ("host," via the idea of someone taken into "lodging" turning into captivity) or to a Latin word for "captive.".
Is “hostage” a common word?
“Hostage” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “hostage” have?
“Hostage” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person held captive to force someone else to do, or not do, something.
What is the difference between a hostage and a prisoner?
A hostage is held specifically to pressure a third party into doing or not doing something, so their value lies in what someone else will give up for them. A prisoner is simply someone held in custody, often as punishment, without that bargaining purpose.
What is the difference between a hostage and a captive?
Every hostage is a captive, but not every captive is a hostage. "Captive" simply means someone held against their will, while "hostage" adds the specific idea of being used as leverage to force another party to act.
What are common phrases using hostage?
Hostage frequently appears in "take hostage," "hold hostage," "hostage situation," and "hostage negotiator." Figuratively, people say a plan or budget is "held hostage" when something else blocks it from moving forward.