hostage

/ˈhɒstɪdʒ/

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Definition

A hostage is a person who is held by an armed group or individual as a means of gaining power or making demands. This person is often taken against their will and used as a bargaining chip or a form of leverage.

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Lost in Translation?
Brainstorm hostage

Conjugation

"hostage" as noun

1 - A person given as a pledge or security for the performance of the conditions of a treaty or similar agreement, such as to ensure the status of a vassal.

2 - A person seized in order to compel another party to act (or refrain from acting) in a certain way, because of the threat of harm to the hostage.

3 - Something that constrains one's actions because it is at risk.

"hostage" as verb

1 - (possibly nonstandard) To give (someone or something) as a hostage to (someone or something else).

2 - (possibly nonstandard) To hold (someone or something) hostage, especially in a way that constrains or controls the person or thing held, or in order to exchange for something else.

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Synonyms

1 - captive

2 - prisoner

3 - detainee

4 - hostage

5 - captive

6 - prisoner

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Antonyms

1 - free

2 - release

3 - safe

4 - unharmed

5 - escape

6 - liberation

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Examples in Context

1 - The kidnapper demanded we fork over the hostage without involving the authorities.

1 - El secuestrador exigió que aflojáramos al rehén sin involucrar a las autoridades.

2 - The hostage begged the thug not to blow out his partner's brains.

2 - El rehén suplicó al matón que no le volara los sesos a su compañero.

3 - He held you hostage and almost got both of us killed.

3 - Te retuvo prisionera y casi hace que nos maten a los dos.

4 - She exercised daily to beat back the fatigue that often held her hostage .

4 - Hacía ejercicio a diario para combatir la fatiga que a menudo la mantenía prisionera .

5 - To pressure the government, they began to hold hostage multiple diplomats.

5 - Para presionar al gobierno, comenzaron a tomar como rehenes a varios diplomáticos.

6 - With no other options, the criminals chose to hold hostage the entire family.

6 - Sin otras opciones, los criminales optaron por tomar como rehenes a toda la familia.

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Word in Motion

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hostage

Lost in Translation? Brainstorm hostage

Lost in Translation?
Brainstorm hostage