held for ransom
Abducted for payment
Held for ransom describes a person or thing seized and detained until payment is made for their release.
Kidnappers hold victims for ransom; hackers hold computer systems for ransom by encrypting files until the owner pays.
The executive was held for ransom for three weeks before the company negotiated his release.
Figuratively, anything essential that someone withholds as leverage: They're holding the whole project for ransom until we meet their demands.
- kidnappedTaken captive illegally
- hostageCaptive held as security
- abductedTaken by force
- hostage situationCrisis involving held captives
- capturedTaken by force
shanghaied · taken · fear · note · extortion · family emergency · seized · proof of life · coercion · blindfold · escape · demand · unmarked bills · wire transfer · mask · captivity · negotiation · tape
held for ransomfree
Without payment or restriction
liberated · released · at liberty · set free · rescued
held for ransomsafe
Free from peril
secure · protected · unharmed · out of danger · safe and sound
held, holds, holding, holdings, holder, holders, beholden, behold, beheld