Meaning
Ransom refers to money or payment demanded or paid to release someone who has been kidnapped or captured. It can also be used as a verb meaning “to free someone by paying money.”
Grammar and Usage
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Part of speech:
- Noun: a ransom (countable/uncountable)
- Verb: to ransom (transitive)
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Typical patterns:
- “pay a ransom”
- “demand a ransom”
- “held for ransom”
- “to ransom someone”
Common Phrases
- Hold someone for ransom – to keep a person captive until money is paid.
- Pay the ransom – to give the demanded money for someone’s release.
- Ransom demand – the request for money by kidnappers.
- Held to ransom – forced to obey or agree under threat or pressure.
Collocations
- Verb + ransom: pay ransom, demand ransom, raise ransom, negotiate ransom
- Noun + ransom: ransom money, ransom note, ransom demand
- Prepositions: held for ransom, freed by ransom, exchange for ransom
Examples
- The kidnappers demanded a ransom of one million dollars.
- He was held for ransom by the rebels for several weeks.
- The police intercepted the ransom note before the money was delivered.
- They finally paid the ransom to secure her release.
- Pirates ransomed the crew members after negotiations.
- The government refused to ransom the hostages.
- The criminals tried to hold the company to ransom with cyberattacks.
- She was ransomed by her wealthy family.
Synonyms or Related
- Synonyms: extortion money, payment for release, buyback
- Related verbs: liberate, redeem, rescue, extort