rescue 1 of 2

noun

Definition of rescuenext
as in salvation
the saving from danger or evil stranded people hoping for rescue from the rising floodwaters

Synonyms & Similar Words

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rescue

2 of 2

verb

ˈre-(ˌ)skyü How to pronounce rescue (audio)
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
Around five feet of water flooded the streets, and families were rescued via boats from the area, including 63 adults and 31 children, per NBC News. —Charna Flam, People.com, 20 Feb. 2025 Israeli forces have rescued eight and have recovered dozens of bodies of people killed in the initial attack or who died in captivity. —Mohammad Jahjouh, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2025 The shelter wasn’t able to rescue him on their own for legal reasons. —Tj MacIas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Feb. 2025 Emergency crews, including firefighters and traffic employees, were deployed to help rescue victims, São Paulo mayor, Ricardo Nunes, said earlier. —Ana Melgar, CNN, 7 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rescue
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rescue
  1. salvation
  2. save
  3. recovery
  4. salvage
Noun
  • But in the end, the show rises or falls on whether the audience is carried along — or even cares about — Jesse’s private journey of salvation.
    — Frank Rizzo, Variety, 14 Feb. 2025
  • In the hands of a mysterious woman, he is offered a chance of salvation.
    — Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Feb. 2025
Definition of salvation
Verb
  • Capping them could save $5 billion a year, or $225 per fee-paying household.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025
  • Forever 21 first declared bankruptcy in 2019, but was saved by a buyout from America’s largest mall operators and a firm called Authentic Brands Group.
    — Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 21 Feb. 2025
Definition of save
Noun
  • And then more excitement as the disk is taken for forensic examination, with a tense wait while top data recovery experts are flown in from across the globe until finally the data is recovered to the sound of popping champagne corks.
    — David G.W. Birch, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025
  • The same office also funds disaster recovery and programs that help local communities build affordable housing.
    — Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 22 Feb. 2025
Definition of recovery
Verb
  • An original warehouse door, salvaged from the basket factory, hangs outside one bedroom.
    — Michael Kaminer, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025
  • On the other, there is a newfound desire to try to salvage the pay TV bundle in some shape or form.
    — Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Feb. 2025
Definition of salvage

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Cite this Entry

“Rescue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rescue. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

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