ransom

Meaning

Noun

1. (uncountable, usually) Money paid for the freeing of a hostage.
2. (uncountable, usually) The release of a captive, or of captured property, by payment of a consideration.
3. (UK, historical, uncountable, usually) 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.

Verb

1. (obsolete) To deliver, especially in context of sin or relevant penalties.
2. To pay a price to set someone free from captivity or punishment.
3. To exact a ransom (payment) in exchange for the freedom of.

Synonyms

redeem

redemption

payment

💸

save

fine

buy back

bail out

ransom money

penalty

buy off

rescue

make amends

price

redeeming

release

reparation

repurchase

sacrifice

unsnarling

untangling

bloodmoney

amends

redemption money

bail

blood-money

buying

buy out

compensate

disentanglement

emancipation

extrication

free

🆓

freeing

Translations

rançon

riscatto

rescate

Lösegeld

λύτρα

racheter

afkopen

riscattare

redimir

rescat

losgeld

vrijkopen

rescatar

resgate

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈɹænsəm/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: ransoun

In summary

From the Middle English ransoun, from the Old French raençon, from stem of Latin redemptio. Entered English ca. the 13th century. Doublet of redemption.