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

Example 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

Three men went over the waterfall, but only Watson was rescued. —

Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 26 Jan. 2025 The Trump administration is reportedly negotiating a plan to transfer control of 's global operations to Oracle in a bid to rescue the app from its recent United States ban. —

Flynn Nicholls, Newsweek, 26 Jan. 2025 The incident unfolded a day after a U.S. Coast Guard crew rescued two people from an ice floe in Saginaw Bay, Michigan. —

CBS News, 24 Jan. 2025 These can be necessary when a person is stranded after evacuation and must wait to be rescued. —

Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for rescue

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rescue

Noun

The intrigue: One of the biggest obstacles to Trump's salvation mission is his own party.

— Zachary Basu, Axios, 18 Jan. 2025
But that concerns his personal salvation—not the safety of the nation.

— Greg Kelly, Newsweek, 12 Jan. 2025