as in fortune
a very large amount of money
that enormous diamond ring must have cost a king's ransom
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Recent Examples of king's ransom
The king's ransom paid Apple for Google search priority has been called into question due to the government's antitrust case against Alphabet .
—
Zev Fima, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2025
But Suárez might go for a king's ransom if the bidding war takes off in the Diamondbacks' direction.
—Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
Given Keller has 3 1/2 years left before becoming a free agent, the demand from the Pirates is going to be very high -- essentially a king's ransom.
—Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
But Milwaukee is likely going to ask for a king's ransom, and the Warriors may not be willing to pay the price.
—Matt Levine, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
Williams is such a talented prospect that experts are saying the Bears should not trade the first overall pick for a king's ransom.
—Jon Hoefling, USA TODAY, 5 Feb. 2024
What king's ransom would the price of entry be if the trumpeters all make a ‘living wage’ for a temporary job best filled by college students?
—Luther Ray Abel, National Review, 17 Feb. 2023
But a king's ransom awaits you with A Royal Corgi Christmas (Hallmark, Nov. 25), where a prince who's about to assume the throne gifts his mother a rambunctious corgi named Mistletoe, who's in desperate need of a trainer.
—Dan Snierson, EW.com, 22 Nov. 2022
At the Chamounix Equestrian Center, children learn the aristocratic sport — but those in the Work to Ride program don't need a king's ransom.
—Anne-Marie Green, CBS News, 31 Aug. 2022
Zev Fima, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2025
But Suárez might go for a king's ransom if the bidding war takes off in the Diamondbacks' direction.
—Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
Given Keller has 3 1/2 years left before becoming a free agent, the demand from the Pirates is going to be very high -- essentially a king's ransom.
—Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025
But Milwaukee is likely going to ask for a king's ransom, and the Warriors may not be willing to pay the price.
—Matt Levine, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025
Williams is such a talented prospect that experts are saying the Bears should not trade the first overall pick for a king's ransom.
—Jon Hoefling, USA TODAY, 5 Feb. 2024
What king's ransom would the price of entry be if the trumpeters all make a ‘living wage’ for a temporary job best filled by college students?
—Luther Ray Abel, National Review, 17 Feb. 2023
But a king's ransom awaits you with A Royal Corgi Christmas (Hallmark, Nov. 25), where a prince who's about to assume the throne gifts his mother a rambunctious corgi named Mistletoe, who's in desperate need of a trainer.
—Dan Snierson, EW.com, 22 Nov. 2022
At the Chamounix Equestrian Center, children learn the aristocratic sport — but those in the Work to Ride program don't need a king's ransom.
—Anne-Marie Green, CBS News, 31 Aug. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for king's ransom
Noun
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Still, Wall Street really doesn’t like this stock—a massive change of fortune to a stock that over the past decade has been among both the sector’s biggest success stories and its biggest flops.—
Brett Owens,
Forbes.com,
24 Aug. 2025
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Junior Bridgeman had a $1.4 billion fortune at the time of his death in March.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
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But arguably the biggest change will come Aug. 21, when ESPN and Fox each launch their new streaming services, and bring their NFL games to streaming outside of the pay-TV bundle for the first time.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Aug. 2025
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Customers will still be able to subscribe to Hulu’s content—ranging from originals and network hits to live TV—either independently or as part of a bundle with Disney+ and ESPN+.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Flavor options: Add lemon, mint, or honey for a boost of flavor.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
26 Aug. 2025
-
This clipboard also comes in seven other decorative designs, including black-dotted, mint floral and navy floral, among others.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
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In 2023, facility residents told Louisville Metro Council members about mold, vermin, piles of trash and safety concerns at the complex, The Courier Journal reported.—
Killian Baarlaer,
The Courier-Journal,
22 Aug. 2025
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Which players deserve to be on the scrap pile after one game?—
Holly Shand,
New York Times,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Born on July 22, 1938, in Stepney, London, Stamp grew up in the shadow of World War II’s Blitz, dodging bombs and dreaming of the silver screen.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Apa and Cline are both cracking up now as Apa drops one more bomb.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“King's ransom.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/king%27s%20ransom. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
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