The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word LIBERATE
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More clues leading to the result LIBERATE
- Free Latin book a Greek character returned
- Free of charge following review of incomplete on-line invoice
- Meant to get 20% off? It’s free!
- Left one to live cost free
- One carpet under pound? It’s free!
- Deliberately mislead about book’s cost to deliver
- The Italian returning censure free
- Bear I let out — yes, let out!
- Release a false statement implicating Repton’s head in strike
- Deliver one booze half-heartedly, taking too much time about it
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "ransom" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case ransom = liberate.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does LIBERATE mean?
LIBERATE verb- To set free, to make or allow to be free, particularly
- To acquire from an enemy during wartime, used especially of cities, regions, and other population centers.
- To acquire from another by theft or force: to steal, to rob.