hostage Synonyms & Antonyms
Choose a meaning, then find a word that fits your sentence.
Hostage as a Noun
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.
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.
Something that constrains one's actions because it is at risk.
One who is compelled by something, especially something that poses a threat; one who is not free to choose their own course of action.
The condition of being held as security or to compel someone else to act or not act in a particular way.
Hostage as a Verb
To give (someone or something) as a hostage to (someone or something else).
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.
(possibly nonstandard) To give (someone or something) as a hostage to (someone or something else).
(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.
Word Forms & Grammar
hostage (plural hostages)
hostage (third-person singular simple present hostages, present participle hostaging, simple past and past participle hostaged)
Origin of Hostage
From Middle English hostage, ostage, from Old French hostage, ostage. This, in turn, is either from Old French hoste (“host”) + -age (in which case the sense development is from taking someone into "lodging" to taking them into "captivity", to applying the term to a captive),[1] or is from Vulgar Latin obsidāticum (“condition of being held captive”), from Latin obses (“hostage, captive”), with the initial h- added under the influence of hoste or another word.[2] Displaced native Old English ġīsl.
Hostage at a Glance
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈhɒs.tɪd͡ʒ/ |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Meaning | A person given as a pledge or security for the performance of the conditions of a treaty or similar… |
| Plural | hostages |
| Verb forms | hostages, hostaging, hostaged |
Pronouncing Hostage
Hostage is pronounced /ˈhɒs.tɪd͡ʒ/ and has 2 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (hɒs).
Common Questions About Hostage
Is hostage a noun or a verb?
Hostage is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is the plural of hostage?
The plural of hostage is hostages.
What is the past tense of hostage?
The past tense of hostage is hostaged. The present participle is hostaging.