What term is used for subjects who are forcefully seized to have demands met?

The term "hostage" specifically refers to individuals who are taken or held against their will, typically in order to compel a person or entity to meet certain demands or conditions. This situation often arises in contexts such as kidnappings or hostage situations where the captors use the hold to negotiate or exert pressure on a third party.

In contrast, while the other terms may refer to individuals being held or confined, they do not carry the same connotation of being seized with the intent to leverage demands. A "prisoner" typically refers to someone who is legally confined as a result of a criminal charge or conviction and does not imply coercive demands. A "victim" generally refers to someone who has suffered harm due to an act of crime or violence, without the implication of a captivity scenario aimed at negotiating demands. "Captive," while it may describe someone who is held against their will, does not specifically convey the element of demands, which is central to the definition of a hostage situation.