ransom
4 synonyms for ransom, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Money demanded or paid to free a hostage or captured person.
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.
payoff
buy back
release fee
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
Money demanded or paid to free a hostage or captured person.
“The kidnappers demanded a huge ransom for her release.”
2. verb
To pay money to free someone held captive.
“They managed to ransom the sailors from the pirates.”
How to use ransom
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
pay a ransom
demand a ransom
hold someone to ransom
Etymology
From Old French raençon, ultimately from Latin redemptio, "a buying back" — making ransom a distant word cousin of redemption.
Full origin of ransom →Frequently asked questions
What does “ransom” mean?
The word “ransom” means money demanded or paid to free a hostage or captured person. In plain terms, a payment made to free someone who is being held captive.
How do you pronounce “ransom”?
“Ransom” is pronounced RAN-suhm (/ˈɹæn.səm/ in IPA).
How do you use “ransom” in a sentence?
Here is “ransom” used in a sentence: “The kidnappers demanded a huge ransom for her release.”
What part of speech is “ransom”?
Depending on how it is used, “ransom” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “ransom” come from?
The word “ransom” comes from Latin. From Old French raençon, ultimately from Latin redemptio, "a buying back" — making ransom a distant word cousin of redemption.
Is “ransom” a common word?
“Ransom” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “ransom” have?
“Ransom” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: money demanded or paid to free a hostage or captured person.
What is the difference between ransom and blackmail?
Ransom specifically refers to money demanded or paid to free a hostage or captured person, tying the payment directly to someone's release. Blackmail involves demanding payment under threat of exposing damaging information, without necessarily holding anyone captive.
Can ransom be used as a verb?
Yes, ransom functions as both a noun and a verb. As a verb, to ransom someone means to pay money to secure their release from captivity.
What phrases commonly use the word ransom?
Common collocations include "pay a ransom," "demand a ransom," "ransom note," and "hold someone for ransom." Each of these relates to exchanging money for a captive's freedom.
