Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for hostage. Search instead for hostade.
Definitions

hostage

[hos-tij] / ˈhɒs tɪdʒ /
NOUN
person held captive until captor's demand is met
Synonyms
Antonyms


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

What to know: The fourth movie in the “Meet the Parents” canon pits Ben Stiller’s Gaylord Focker against his son’s girlfriend, a no-nonsense former FBI hostage negotiator played by Ariana Grande.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 7, 2026

An online petition in January 2026 called for Hashemi's deportation from the US due to his mother's involvement in the hostage crisis.

From BBC Aug. 19, 2026

It seems like every industry is being held hostage by artificial intelligence.

From MarketWatch Aug. 7, 2026

The special enforcement bureau, which handles high-risk tactical operations like barricaded suspects and hostage situations, has been at the center of several recent controversies.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 4, 2026

“My lawyer disagrees. If the money is in your name, it can’t be held hostage by a financial institution or anyone else, including Laura Friendly. We’re going to the bank now.”

From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty

Nigerian army spokesman Lt-Col Aliyu Danja said it was unclear where the abductors were moving their hostages when troops intercepted them, adding that the army was now attempting to track the kidnappers.

From BBC Aug. 9, 2026

The first phase saw the release of all remaining hostages taken during the Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 31, 2026

Burns helped burnish Gannon’s credentials, personally telling the prince that the operative was the American in the room as Israel negotiated with Hamas to release its hostages in the aftermath of the Oct.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 19, 2026

Friday, the two hostages were released, and at 2:30 a.m. the Hendricksons exited the trailer.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 18, 2026

Only half the realm, the release of our captives, hostages, his father’s sward . . . oh, yes, and his sisters.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

On the other hand, John Donvan conceded that there is a limit to living in the past—to hostaging yourself, for instance, to outdated agreements and other generations’ crimes.

From Slate Jan. 11, 2012

In their minds, hostaging means trading -- and trading means talking.

From Time Magazine Archive

Q. Have you expressed that view of hostaging to President Bush?

From Time Magazine Archive




Vocabulary lists containing hostage


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training