deliver

verb

di-ˈli-vər How to pronounce deliver (audio)
Definition of delivernext
1
as in to save
to free from the penalties or consequences of sin deliver us from evil

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2
as in to rescue
to remove from danger or harm the passengers waited for the rescue ship to come and deliver them

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to relinquish
to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress delivered up the ransom money

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4
as in to provide
to put (something) into the possession of someone for use or consumption the inn endeavors to deliver the luxuries that its well-heeled guests have come to expect

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5
as in to leave
to put (something) into the possession or safekeeping of another delivered the prisoners to the sheriff

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6
as in to succeed
to turn out as planned or desired finally, a summer blockbuster that delivers

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7
as in to produce
to bring forth from the womb she delivered four healthy babies

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8
as in to indulge
to give (oneself) over to something especially unrestrainedly deeply dissatisfied with his dissolute lifestyle, he resolved to deliver himself over to the ways of the Lord

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb deliver contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of deliver are ransom, reclaim, redeem, rescue, and save. While all these words mean "to set free from confinement or danger," deliver implies release usually of a person from confinement, temptation, slavery, or suffering.

delivered his people from bondage

When can ransom be used instead of deliver?

The words ransom and deliver are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ransom specifically applies to buying out of captivity.

tried to ransom the kidnap victim

Where would reclaim be a reasonable alternative to deliver?

In some situations, the words reclaim and deliver 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 is it sensible to use redeem instead of deliver?

The synonyms redeem and deliver are sometimes interchangeable, but redeem implies releasing from bondage or penalties by giving what is demanded or necessary.

job training designed to redeem school dropouts from chronic unemployment

In what contexts can rescue take the place of deliver?

The words rescue and deliver can be used in similar contexts, but rescue implies freeing from imminent danger by prompt or vigorous action.

rescued the crew of a sinking ship

When could save be used to replace deliver?

Although the words save and deliver have much in common, 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

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 deliver And my plan, the NYC Affordability Fund, is designed to deliver real results. —Mark Levine, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2025 Director of Development George Douglas opened the meeting delivering a public statement to review the process and timeline of events that involved the possible date center development. —Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025 The networks' mission is to deliver news coverage and cultural programming to places where a free press is threatened or doesn't exist. —David Folkenflik, NPR, 15 Mar. 2025 This configuration allows an exceptional power reserve of 216 hours (nine days), delivered with constant force to the escapement. —Anthony Demarco, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deliver
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deliver
  1. save
  2. rescue
  3. relinquish
  4. provide
  5. leave
  6. succeed
  7. produce
  8. indulge
Verb
  • If projections around the tariffs’ impact are correct, then getting some shopping done now could save you time and money later.
    — Sara Coughlin, SELF, 10 Apr. 2025
  • California family discusses ongoing legal and political battle to 'save girls' sports' as issue heats up Taylor and Ryan Starling of Riverside, California discussed their ongoing lawsuit over trans inclusion in girls' sports, speaking at the state capital and all the fallout that has come with it.
    — Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of save
Verb
  • Hundreds had to be rescued, and most of the deaths were caused by vehicles getting stuck in high water.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2025
  • All five people were rescued and transported to Bay Area Hospital with minor injuries.
    — Charna Flam, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of rescue
Verb
  • The New York congresswoman had relinquished her No. 4 leadership slot as House Republican Conference Chair since she had been named Trump’s UN pick, and Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) was elected in her place.
    — Emily Brooks, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025
  • So Paul relinquished the same number of sacks and just one less pressure in 272 fewer pass blocking snaps than Armstead played.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of relinquish
Verb
  • Dutch florists provided tens of thousands of flowers in an intricate, colorful layout − a tradition in its 39th year.
    — John Bacon, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Any business seeking public support (tax breaks, zoning changes, etc.) should be required to pay livable wages and provide strong benefits.
    — Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of provide
Verb
  • With few options left, Adam begins considering and concocting ways to enact vengeance, but Basem, having been down that rageful path, advises him otherwise.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 11 Apr. 2025
  • The department did not say how much money is left of the total $189 billion approved.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of leave
Verb
  • The endeavor succeeded and eventually became known as Shift4.
    — Wendy Whitman Cobb, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2025
  • But El Salvador’s crackdown on gang violence succeeded in large part because the country’s police had spent years carefully amassing legal evidence.
    — Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of succeed
Verb
  • And the more rapid the cycle, the more dust is produced.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 17 Apr. 2025
  • The work relied on the seismometer network’s observations of more than 200 earthquakes, each of which produced multiple types of seismic waves.
    — Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2025
Definition of produce
Verb
  • In any event, a square between the sun and your celestial ruler, Mars, on April 20, creates tension between your desire to indulge and have fun versus the reality of your financial responsibilities.
    — Valerie Mesa, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The pet-friendly hotel indulges guests with a rooftop terrace, a library bar, and accommodations that range from cozy rooms to three-bedroom suites.
    — Cameron Sperance, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of indulge

Phrases Containing deliver

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deliver
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Cite this Entry

“Deliver.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deliver. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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