ransom
Kidnapper's demanded sum
Ransom is money demanded or paid for the release of a captive.
Kidnappers hold victims for ransom; historically, prisoners of war were ransomed back to their families.
The verb means to pay such a price or to hold someone for payment: They ransomed the hostages for two million dollars.
A king's ransom is an enormous sum.
In computing, ransomware encrypts files and demands payment for their release.
Unlawful seizure of person
- hostageCaptive held as security
- captorOne who seizes another
- captiveOne held by force
- victimOne harmed by another
snatch · seize · detain · hideout · blindfold · gag · bind · missing
To let go
- freeWithout payment or restriction
- rescueSave from harm
- deliveranceRescue from bondage
- recoverRegain health or possession
save · return · extricate · reunite · escape · handover · freedom · unharmed
Forceful request or requirement
- moneyCurrency for transactions
- paymentFulfilling a financial obligation
- cashReady spending funds
- payoutMoney distributed to recipient
settlement · sum · transfer · wire · cryptocurrency · briefcase · unmarked bills · exchange
Coercion through damaging threats
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- threatIndication of potential harm
- ultimatumNon-negotiable final terms
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
leverage · pressure · exploitation · shakedown · blood money · squeeze · menace · duress
Harmful computer programs
- encryptionConverting data into code
- decryptReverse encoding process
- cyberattackMalicious digital intrusion
- hackerUnauthorized system accessor
phishing · breach · payload · lockout · cryptocurrency · dark web · cybercriminal · exploit
abduction
Unlawful seizure of person
victim · snatch · seize · detain · hideout · blindfold · gag · bind · missing · abductee
release
To let go
- freeWithout payment or restriction
- rescueSave from harm
- deliveranceRescue from bondage
recover · save · return · extricate · reunite · escape · handover · freedom · unharmed
demand
Forceful request or requirement
payout · settlement · sum · transfer · wire · cryptocurrency · briefcase · unmarked bills · exchange · handover
blackmail
Coercion through damaging threats
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- threatIndication of potential harm
- ultimatumNon-negotiable final terms
intimidation · leverage · pressure · exploitation · shakedown · blood money · squeeze · menace · duress · racket
malware
Harmful computer programs
- encryptionConverting data into code
- decryptReverse encoding process
- cyberattackMalicious digital intrusion
hacker · phishing · breach · payload · lockout · cryptocurrency · dark web · cybercriminal · exploit · vulnerability
king
Male crowned ruler
medieval · capture · siege · war · treaty · tribute · sovereign · crusade · dungeon · castle
- thriller tropesplot twist, red herring, cliffhanger, whodunit, femme fatale
- Barbary PiratesBarbary pirates, Barbary Coast, Algiers, Tripoli, Tunis
- coercionduress, coercing, compelling, threat, forcing
- dirty moneydirty money, ill-gotten gains, illicit funds, illicit gains, proceeds of crime
- Frontier WarsIndian Wars, French and Indian War, cavalry charge, militia, militias
- Hundred Years' WarHundred Years' War, Agincourt, Poitiers, Joan of Arc, Henry V
ransomcapture
Take into custody
kidnap · take hostage · abduct · seize · imprison
- ransom demandsCaptor's required payment conditions
- ransom noteAbductor's payment demand
- hold to ransomExtort via threat
- king's ransomEnormous sum of money
- held for ransomDetained pending payment
- hold for ransomDetain demanding payment