hostages
Bargaining chip people
Hostages are people held captive to compel others to meet demands—typically for ransom, political concessions, or safe passage.
Governments negotiate for hostages; terrorists take them.
The word extends to situations of dependency: We're hostages to the weather.
A hostage situation or hostage crisis involves active negotiations for release.
Incarcerated individuals
- detaineesPeople held in custody
- captivesPeople held by force
- confinementState of being restricted
- isolationComplete separation from others
chains · blindfold · bonds · cell · guards · captors · release · freedom
Encirclement forcing surrender
- standoffUnresolved confrontation between opponents
- kidnappingUnlawful seizure of person
- abductionUnlawful seizure of person
- captivityState of being confined
terrorism · hijacking · barricade · incident · emergency · lockdown · SWAT · tactical
Incarcerated individuals
- diplomaticTactful and sensitive
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- demandsForceful requests or requirements
- terroristsThose using violence politically
insurgents · militants · embassy · government · state-sponsored · political · propaganda · video
One who bargains professionally
- mediatorNeutral conflict resolver
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
- talksSpeaks with others
intermediary · concessions · demands · release · exchange · deadline · communication · de-escalation
Fulfilling a financial obligation
- kidnappersPeople who seize others
- extortionObtaining through threats
- demandsForceful requests or requirements
- untraceableImpossible to follow back
payoff · note · deadline · blackmail · sum · drop · exchange · cryptocurrency
prisoners
Incarcerated individuals
- detaineesPeople held in custody
- captivesPeople held by force
- confinementState of being restricted
isolation · chains · blindfold · bonds · cell · guards · captors · release · freedom · escape
siege
Encirclement forcing surrender
- standoffUnresolved confrontation between opponents
- kidnappingUnlawful seizure of person
- abductionUnlawful seizure of person
captivity · terrorism · hijacking · barricade · incident · emergency · lockdown · SWAT · tactical · breach
prisoners
Incarcerated individuals
- diplomaticTactful and sensitive
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- demandsForceful requests or requirements
terrorists · insurgents · militants · embassy · government · state-sponsored · political · propaganda · video · statement
negotiator
One who bargains professionally
- mediatorNeutral conflict resolver
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
talks · intermediary · concessions · demands · release · exchange · deadline · communication · de-escalation · liaison
payment
Fulfilling a financial obligation
- kidnappersPeople who seize others
- extortionObtaining through threats
- demandsForceful requests or requirements
untraceable · payoff · note · deadline · blackmail · sum · drop · exchange · cryptocurrency · cash
suspense
Anxious uncertainty about outcomes
rescue · plot · chase · hideout · surveillance · conspiracy · betrayal · manhunt · espionage · drama
- conflictsargument, fight, war, battle, dispute
- Israeli-Palestinian ConflictIsraeli-Palestinian conflict, West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem, PLO
- ancient diplomacyenvoys, ambassadors, emissaries, peace treaties, alliances
- Frontier WarsIndian Wars, French and Indian War, cavalry charge, militia, militias
- piracysoftware piracy, pirates, torrents, book piracy, buccaneers
- Somali piracyhijacking, ransom, skiffs, pirate attacks, kidnapping
hostagescaptors
Those holding prisoners
hostage-takers · kidnappers · abductors · jailers · hijackers
- held hostageCaptive for leverage
- hostage negotiationsDialogue to release captives
- hold hostageImprison for demands
- holding hostageDetaining for leverage
- hostage crisisProlonged captive situation
- hostage situationCrisis involving held captives