Words / C1

RANS-uh-m/ˈrænsəm/

A ransom is money demanded for a captive’s release, or (figurative) a price for release: pay a ransom, hold to ransom. Blackmail is a cousin; release (already in the dictionary) sits opposite. Holding an n for a headline is still a leak.

Meaning

Money demanded for the release of a captive; also (figurative) a price for release.

Examples

• “Holding the n hostage as a press ransom is still an embargo breach.”
• “Blackmail is the cousin. Hostage is the person/object. A headline is comms. A clock is the rule. Wait for midnight; do not trade the table.”

Good to know

A price demanded for release. Cousin: blackmail. Trading an n for a headline is still a leak.

Near in meaning

blackmail

New