save 1 of 2

verb

ˈsāv How to pronounce save (audio)
Definition of savenext
1
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
3
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
4
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
5
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
The kicker who was 4 for 11 on field goals in his career saved UM, overcoming curiously conservative play-calling and defensive busts in the fourth quarter. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2025 Keep scrolling to save up to 60% off during Pottery Barn’s Labor Day sale for a limited time only. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Aug. 2025
Preposition
But all the candidates save Sanders were in Selma on Thursday to mark the 55th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. —Howard Koplowitz | [email protected], al, 4 Mar. 2020 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 See All Example Sentences for save
Recent Examples of Synonyms for save
  1. redeem
  2. rescue
  3. conserve
  4. preserve
  5. dedicate
  6. except
  7. forgive
  8. spare
Verb
  • For everyday consumers, this change dramatically expands the ways to earn and redeem AAdvantage miles—not just by flying, but by tapping into credit card spending.
    — Laura Begley Bloom, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • There isn’t much redeeming value in this music, something Táparo is well aware of.
    — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of redeem
Verb
  • So, there are still chances that the AHRQ could get rescued at some point by the House of Representatives.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The girl’s mom got into a kayak, paddled out to the sinking canoe and rescued her daughter, but her boyfriend went underwater, deputies said.
    — Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 8 Sep. 2025
Definition of rescue
Verb
  • By extending sensor reach while conserving power, technologies like Wi-Fi HaLow can help broaden access to real-time environmental data, especially in areas where traditional networks fall short.
    — Michael De Nil, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Nationwide, over 90 percent of the country is experiencing some level of drought, reservoirs in major cities have dropped to critically low levels, and officials have urged citizens to conserve water.
    — Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of conserve
Verb
  • Donate today to preserve the quality and integrity of local journalism.
    — Tom Murphy, Arkansas Online, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Some Cosmists saw technology as destructive and transformative, while others believed its role should be to protect and preserve.
    — Tim Brinkhof, Big Think, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of preserve
Verb
  • Kirk’s zeal caught the attention of Bill Montgomery, a businessman and Tea Party activist, who urged him to forgo college and dedicate himself fully to political organizing.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The architecture of the building, which was dedicated in 1973 and designated as a National Shrine in 2000, also holds meaning.
    — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
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
  • For many couples, infidelity is a nonnegotiable breach of trust, never to be forgiven.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Nobody is going to forgive it or pay it for us.
    — Letters to the Editor, Oc Register, 4 Sep. 2025
Definition of forgive
Verb
  • The atmosphere also helped play a role in the rapid demise of Hurricane Lorena off the Mexico coast, sparing that region a direct landfall.
    — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Even more impressive, at the end of the journey, the EV still had range to spare.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2025
Definition of spare

Browse Nearby Words

savants
save
saved
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Cite this Entry

“Save.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/save. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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