ransom

Money demanded or paid so that someone being held prisoner will be freed.

• They demanded a large ransom.
• Her family paid the ransom yesterday.
• The kidnappers held him for ransom.

How to use it: ransom for someone (The kidnappers demanded a ransom for the missing boy.)

Common phrases: pay a ransom, ransom demand, hold for ransom

The freeing of a prisoner or return of captured property in exchange for payment.

• The captives had little hope of ransom.
• Negotiations secured the ransom of the prisoners.
• Their families arranged for their ransom and return.

How to use it: ransom of someone/something (The agreement allowed the ransom of captured sailors.)

Similar words: release, redemption

Common phrases: ransom of prisoners, hope of ransom, obtain someone's ransom

To pay money so that a prisoner is freed or someone escapes punishment.

• His family ransomed him.
• They raised enough money to ransom the prisoners.
• Could the captured soldiers be ransomed from the enemy?

How to use it: ransom someone from someone/something (They ransomed the sailor from his captors.)

Similar words: buy someone's freedom

Common phrases: ransom a prisoner, ransom someone from captivity