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
The program allows for state income tax exemption for five years, offering investors in big projects to save up to hundreds of thousands of dollars a year per project in property tax savings. Alexandra Berzon, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025 Buying in bulk also reduces shopping trips, saving time and transportation costs. True Tamplin, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
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
  • As a reminder, PS Plus' monthly free games for January can still be redeemed.
    Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 15 Jan. 2025
  • Below, 15 members of Forbes Agency Council share expert insights into how a brand facing viral complaints can take an appropriate level of accountability, redeem its good name and regain consumer trust.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • These can be necessary when a person is stranded after evacuation and must wait to be rescued.
    Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Thousands of them, on average 17 a day, die without having had the opportunity to be rescued.
    Allan Chernoff, Hartford Courant, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Scarce magazines of Tomahawk missiles can be conserved for the highest-value targets while masses of Barracudas can tackle everything else, and so on.
    David Hambling, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
  • He’s also conserved water by changing his planting patterns, leaving the debris from the prior crop on the soil to limit evaporation.
    Daniel Desrochers, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Donate today to preserve the quality and integrity of local journalism.
    Daniel McFadin, arkansasonline.com, 20 Jan. 2025
  • According to Clark, a slower thaw preserves the texture of the cheese.
    Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Since then, Project Pat has dedicated his time to spreading the word of God in prisons and founded the non-profit Go Foundation, which focuses on prison ministry.
    Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Beyond this, Trump has dedicated almost all of his initial efforts to immigration.
    ABC News, ABC News, 24 Jan. 2025
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
  • Hilarity ensued, and, forgive the spoilers, things did not end up the way everyone may have wanted.
    Rob Salkowitz, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Fassbender may be too obviously statuesque for real spycraft, but his performance of an agent cracking under the weight of existential turmoil is so hypnotic that one forgives the incongruous casting choice.
    Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • With just two seats to spare, there are nine Republicans from California who may be forced to decide whether to opt for party unity or do what must be done for their state.
    Douglas Schoen, Orange County Register, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Other places that appear to be spared include the actual falls and the area around them at Millard Canyon.
    Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near save

Cite this Entry

“Save.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/save. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

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