A hostage is a person held against their will by an individual or group, usually as a form of leverage or ransom. The term 'hostage' can be broken down into seven crossword solutions: EARNEST (7 letters), TOKEN (5 letters), SURETY (6 letters), PRISONER (8 letters), PAWN (4 letters), CAPTIVE (7 letters), and PLEDGE (6 letters). EARNEST is an adjective meaning serious or sincere, while TOKEN is an object or action that serves as a symbol of something else. SURETY is a guarantee of the fulfillment of an obligation, and PRISONER is someone who is confined against their will. PAWN is a person or thing used as security for a debt or obligation, and CAPTIVE is someone held in the power of another. Finally, PLEDGE is a solemn promise or agreement to do something.