SAVE Synonyms: 133 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

save 1 of 2

verb

ˈsāv

Definition of save

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

Relevance

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

as in to conserve

to avoid unnecessary waste or expense we'll have to scrimp and save to be able to afford college

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to preserve

to keep in good condition lovingly saved the classic car and even upgraded its engine

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to dedicate

to keep or intend for a special purpose I'm saving this dress for a formal occasion

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

save

2 of 2

preposition

as in except

not including everyone save me is going to the party

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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 save

Verb

At 15, Mariana de Miguel was already sneaking into Mexico City’s nightlife with a fake ID, saving money to see the bands that shaped her imagination. — Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2026 Did Musk ever really care about saving humanity from climate change? — Sheelah Kolhatkar, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026

Preposition

Particularly this year, with COVID-19, there are no gatherings to attend save a bonfire or a socially distant hike now and then. — Alli Harvey, Anchorage Daily News, 11 Oct. 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

In the seventh inning of a 1-all tie, Teoscar Hernández redeemed himself for another fielding blunder with a single that finally drove dizzying Braves starter Tyler Mahle from the game.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026
The card technically earns Citi ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for anything from statement credits to transfers to Citi's travel partners.

— Ryley Amond, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of redeem

Verb

Two people died and 11 crew members were rescued, Romanian authorities said.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
The 14-year-old girl who officials say gave birth to her father’s child on a California roadside has been rescued after an Amber Alert issued last month, Monterey County officials confirmed Sunday evening.

— Jasmine Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of rescue

Verb

The main museum, at 1250 Bannock Street, will continue to show and conserve Still’s roughly 3,125 pieces of art (or about 93% of his lifetime work, officials said).

— John Wenzel, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026
The intact leaf blanket also conserves moisture and prevents soil from drying out over the winter.

— Manjot Kaur Sidhu, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of conserve

Verb

Just across 16th Street North is Kelly Ingram Park, an assembly site for the SCLC in 1963 now filled with sculptures that preserve the memory of protesters and its leaders.

— Leslie Pariseau, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
The Bruins forced seven turnovers and stopped Oregon’s late two-point try at the one-yard line, preserving a signature victory that strengthened UCLA’s playoff case.

— Elias Esquivel, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of preserve

Verb

Ada County Prosecutor Jan Bennetts, who serves as president of the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, expressed her appreciation for the many years that Thompson dedicated himself to the state.

— Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 7 Oct. 2026
Worshippers lined Cybele’s cracks with silver and installed her in a temple dedicated in 191 BCE on Palatine Hill, considered to be the birthplace of Rome.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of dedicate

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

Definition of except

Verb

Telluride’s ski area stretches across more than 2,000 acres, from wide, forgiving groomers to steep chutes and bowls, with the terrain climbing to 12,570 feet.

— Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
SpaceX’s reported $40 billion debt raise to buy Nvidia chips shows it is stuck between mature tech giants like Google and Meta and startups like OpenAI and Anthropic, whose private status tends to forgive their inability to pay their own bills.

— Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of forgive

Verb

Current forecasts call for the storm to hit east of New Orleans, a major refining hub, which should spare vital energy infrastructure from the storm’s worst.

— Matt Egan, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026
Companion animal euthanasia is a therapeutic intervention to mitigate suffering; when conducted properly, the process spares the subject both fear and pain.

— Dr. Jacob Appel, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of spare

Browse Nearby Words

savants

save

saved

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Save.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/save. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of save

verb

preposition

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