RESCUE Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'rescue' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rescue are deliver , ransom , reclaim , redeem , and save . While all these words mean "to set free from confinement or danger," rescue implies freeing from imminent danger by prompt or vigorous action. // rescued the crew of a sinking ship

Q: When is 'deliver' a more appropriate choice than 'rescue'?

In some situations, the words deliver and rescue are roughly equivalent. However, deliver implies release usually of a person from confinement, temptation, slavery, or suffering. // delivered his people from bondage

Q: When is it sensible to use 'ransom' instead of 'rescue'?

The synonyms ransom and rescue are sometimes interchangeable, but ransom specifically applies to buying out of captivity. // tried to ransom the kidnap victim

Q: In what contexts can 'reclaim' take the place of 'rescue'?

Although the words reclaim and rescue have much in common, reclaim suggests a bringing back to a former state or condition of someone or something abandoned or debased. // reclaimed long-abandoned farms

Q: When might 'redeem' be a better fit than 'rescue'?

The words redeem and rescue can be used in similar contexts, but redeem implies releasing from bondage or penalties by giving what is demanded or necessary. // job training designed to redeem school dropouts from chronic unemployment

Q: When can 'save' be used instead of 'rescue'?

The meanings of save and rescue largely overlap; however, 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

rescue 1 of 2

noun

Definition of rescue next

as in salvation

the saving from danger or evil stranded people hoping for rescue from the rising floodwaters

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

rescue

2 of 2

verb

ˈre-(ˌ)skyü

as in to save

to remove from danger or harm an all-out effort to rescue a beached whale

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb rescue contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of rescue are deliver, ransom, reclaim, redeem, and save. While all these words mean "to set free from confinement or danger," rescue implies freeing from imminent danger by prompt or vigorous action.

rescued the crew of a sinking ship

When is deliver a more appropriate choice than rescue?

In some situations, the words deliver and rescue are roughly equivalent. However, deliver implies release usually of a person from confinement, temptation, slavery, or suffering.

delivered his people from bondage

When is it sensible to use ransom instead of rescue?

The synonyms ransom and rescue are sometimes interchangeable, but ransom specifically applies to buying out of captivity.

tried to ransom the kidnap victim

In what contexts can reclaim take the place of rescue?

Although the words reclaim and rescue have much in common, reclaim suggests a bringing back to a former state or condition of someone or something abandoned or debased.

reclaimed long-abandoned farms

When might redeem be a better fit than rescue?

The words redeem and rescue can be used in similar contexts, but 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 can save be used instead of rescue?

The meanings of save and rescue largely overlap; however, 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

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 rescue

Verb

Upon arrival, authorities found a 20-year-old man — later identified as Dylan Wheeler, of Longville — in the water, but were able to rescue him. —

David Chiu, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024 Maggie races in at the last minute, rescuing her child. —

Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 13 Dec. 2024 The Chinese parent company seems to be banking on the Supreme Court or President-elect Donald Trump rescuing the app before it’s banned next month. —

Alex Heath, The Verge, 13 Dec. 2024 Nova was rescued on Sunday morning by a group including rescuers from the Dublin Fire Department. —

Alice Gibbs, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rescue

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rescue

Noun

For Shakespeare’s characters the possibility of a second chance could be their undoing or their salvation.

Alexander Leggatt, The New York Review of Books, 28 Nov. 2024
Here's hoping that, if they are needed this November, our courts will be our rock and salvation.

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024