ran·som
ˈran(t)-səm 
1
: a consideration paid or demanded for the release of someone or something from captivity
2
: the act of ransoming
ransomed; ransoming; ransoms
1
: to deliver especially from sin or its penalty
2
: to free from captivity or punishment by paying a price
ransomer
noun
Synonyms
Examples of ransom in a Sentence
Noun
The kidnappers demanded a ransom of one million dollars.
The family is willing to pay ransom for his release.
The ransom note explained the terms under which she would be released.
Verb
He was held captive for a week before he was ransomed and returned to his family.
the prince emptied the treasury to ransom his son from the kidnappers
Recent Examples on the Web
Kate Irwin, PCMAG, 28 Oct. 2024
Mario Medina told the victim’s family to meet at a McDonald’s restaurant in San Ysidro, just north of the U.S.-Mexico border, to make the ransom payment.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2024
Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024
Nestor explains that the employee sold him out to some Haitians, who stole his product and now want to ransom it back to him.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 16 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for ransom 
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Noun
While the group has attacked more than 329 organizations globally, only 115 have paid ransoms.
—Kate Irwin, PCMAG, 28 Oct. 2024
Mario Medina told the victim’s family to meet at a McDonald’s restaurant in San Ysidro, just north of the U.S.-Mexico border, to make the ransom payment.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2024
Verb
They were taken by speedboats to the jungles of the southern Philippine province of Sulu, where they were held in harsh conditions before being mostly ransomed off using millions of dollars reportedly provided by then-Libyan leader Moammar Kadafi.
—Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024
Nestor explains that the employee sold him out to some Haitians, who stole his product and now want to ransom it back to him.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 16 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for ransom
Dictionary Entries Near ransom
Cite this Entry
“Ransom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ransom. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ransom
1 of 2 noun
ran·som
ˈran(t)-səm
1
: something paid or demanded for the freedom of a captured person
2
: the act of ransoming
ransom
2 of 2 verb
: to free from captivity or punishment by paying a price
ransomer
noun
Biographical Definition
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