save 1 of 2

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as in to redeem
to free from the penalties or consequences of sin the Christian belief that Jesus lived and died to save humanity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to rescue
to remove from danger or harm the firefighters managed to save the family just as the burning building was collapsing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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save

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preposition

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb save contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of save are deliver, ransom, reclaim, redeem, and rescue. While all these words mean "to set free from confinement or danger," save may replace any of the foregoing terms; it may further imply a preserving or maintaining for usefulness or continued existence.

an operation that saved my life

In what contexts can deliver take the place of save?

The words deliver and save are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, deliver implies release usually of a person from confinement, temptation, slavery, or suffering.

delivered his people from bondage

Where would ransom be a reasonable alternative to save?

Although the words ransom and save have much in common, ransom specifically applies to buying out of captivity.

tried to ransom the kidnap victim

When is reclaim a more appropriate choice than save?

In some situations, the words reclaim and save are roughly equivalent. However, reclaim suggests a bringing back to a former state or condition of someone or something abandoned or debased.

reclaimed long-abandoned farms

When would redeem be a good substitute for save?

While in some cases nearly identical to save, redeem implies releasing from bondage or penalties by giving what is demanded or necessary.

job training designed to redeem school dropouts from chronic unemployment

When could rescue be used to replace save?

The synonyms rescue and save are sometimes interchangeable, but rescue implies freeing from imminent danger by prompt or vigorous action.

rescued the crew of a sinking ship

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of save
Verb
As floodwaters roared through remote mountain communities of Western North Carolina, locals raced against time to save each other. Chris Kenning, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024 The motor will kick in to help push up hills, or hold back on downhills to save parents’ backs. Chris Stokel-Walker, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024
Preposition
As of Sunday, all other airlines have already ended their flights to mainland China from SFO, which normally has more departures to China than any other U.S. airport save Los Angeles International. Mallory Moench, SFChronicle.com, 12 Feb. 2020 But all the candidates save Sanders were in Selma on Thursday to mark the 55th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. Howard Koplowitz | Hkoplowitz@al.com, al, 4 Mar. 2020 See all Example Sentences for save 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for save
Verb
  • Delek Logistics issued $650 million in senior notes due 2029, using the proceeds to redeem its 2025 notes and pay off its term loan facility.
    Quartz Bot, Quartz, 7 Nov. 2024
  • Quinteros said the two planned to go together to Little Rock to redeem the ticket, but Palma changed his mind and then went with his nephew the next day and redeemed the ticket without him.
    Tracy Neal, arkansasonline.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Stephanie Joyce: How did your hopes for getting rescued change as the sun started to set on the second day?
    Outside Online, Outside Online, 6 Nov. 2024
  • Almora district officials reported to the scene and worked to rescue passengers from the overturned bus.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Over the next five years, as the convener of the Atlas, the Group on Earth Observations has ambitious plans to support countries and organizations to make headline progress on the 30 x 30 nature target which calls for 30% of the earth’s land and sea to be conserved.
    Amy Nguyen, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
  • As the spacecraft, launched in September 1977, ages, the team has slowly turned off components to conserve power, allowing Voyager 1 to send back unique science data from 15 billion miles (24 billion kilometers) away.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Both great powers and smaller states know by now that the best way to deal with Trump is to shower him with pomp and circumstance, abstain from fact-checking him in public, make flashy but token concessions, and remain secure that by and large their core interests will be preserved.
    Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024
  • Jewish pioneers’ history here has been preserved at Leadville’s Temple Israel, built in 1884 for a community that then numbered some 400 and contributed to business and municipal life.
    James Dziezynski, Outside Online, 10 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • The new data center was supposed to have been dedicated toward Meta’s new and ongoing artificial intelligence projects.
    Paolo Confino, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Fiscal 2024 just ended with the government running a budget deficit in excess of $1.8 trillion, including more than $1.1 trillion dedicated solely to paying financing costs on the $36 trillion U.S. debt.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024
Preposition
  • At Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort, face masks are required in public areas, except when dining or swimming, capacity of public areas will be limited, and housekeeping and public area attendants will increase their cleaning procedures.
    Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 4 June 2020
  • The city advised all residents to stay inside except those going to and from work and anyone seeking or giving emergency care, according to Mayor Eric Garcetti's official Twitter account.
    NBC News, NBC News, 1 June 2020
Verb
  • Now, our son is making overtures on behalf of his wife to just forgive and forget.
    R. Eric Thomas, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024
  • Sounds to me like your friend can’t, won’t, or is disinclined to forgive you.
    James Parker, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Advertisement Rams Rams’ NFC West win over Seattle shows vet leaders such as Cooper Kupp can’t be spared Nov. 4, 2024 Rookie center Beaux Limmer has started since the second game and rookie left guard Justin Dedich started the last three games.
    Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
  • The preschool's post added that the children would be informed of the rabbits' death but would be spared any details.
    Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 3 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near save

Cite this Entry

“Save.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/save. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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