redeem

verb

re·​deem ri-ˈdēm 

redeemed; redeeming; redeems

transitive verb

1

a

: to buy back : repurchase

b

: to get or win back

2

: to free from what distresses or harms: such as

a

: to free from captivity by payment of ransom

b

: to extricate from or help to overcome something detrimental

c

: to release from blame or debt : clear

d

: to free from the consequences of sin

3

: to change for the better : reform

4

: repair, restore

5

a

: to free from a lien by payment of an amount secured thereby

b(1)

: to remove the obligation of by payment

the U.S. Treasury redeems savings bonds on demand

(2)

: to exchange for something of value

redeem trading stamps

c

: to make good : fulfill

6

a

: to atone for : expiate

redeem an error

b(1)

: to offset the bad effect of

(2)

: to make worthwhile : retrieve

redeemable

ri-ˈdē-mə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• fulfill
• fulfil
• satisfy
• keep
• complete

Choose the Right Synonym for redeem

rescue, deliver, redeem, ransom, reclaim, save mean to set free from confinement or danger.

rescue implies freeing from imminent danger by prompt or vigorous action.

rescued the crew of a sinking ship

deliver implies release usually of a person from confinement, temptation, slavery, or suffering.

delivered his people from bondage

redeem implies releasing from bondage or penalties by giving what is demanded or necessary.

job training designed to redeem school dropouts from chronic unemployment

ransom specifically applies to buying out of captivity.

tried to ransom the kidnap victim

reclaim suggests a bringing back to a former state or condition of someone or something abandoned or debased.

reclaimed long-abandoned farms

save may replace any of the foregoing terms; it may further imply a preserving or maintaining for usefulness or continued existence.

an operation that saved my life

Examples of redeem in a Sentence

Nearly 115 million Americans clip coupons and redeem them at some point during the year. —David J. Morrow, New York Times, 17 Mar. 1996

… nor does the book try to justify whatever is reckless about it by claiming some redeeming social or political value. —Philip Roth, Reading Myself and Others, 1975

She had once told Rowland that she would show him, some day, how gracious her manners could be; she was now redeeming her promise. —Henry James, Roderick Hudson, 1875

We had, however, redeemed … the character of our country, by showing that there was at any rate a body of persons determined to use all the means which the law afforded to obtain justice for the injured. —John Stuart Mill, Autobiography, 1874

Their temporal dominion is now confirmed by the reverence of a thousand years; and their noblest title is the free choice of a people, whom they had redeemed from slavery. —Edward Gibbon, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, 1788

The exciting ending partially redeems what is otherwise a very dull movie.

He wants to redeem his reputation.

You can redeem this coupon at any store.

You have 90 days to redeem your winning lottery ticket.

This voucher can be redeemed for a free meal at several local restaurants.

The government will pay you interest when it redeems the bonds you bought.

The company redeemed some of its stock.

Recent Examples on the Web

But the real, urgent work ahead of them was to redeem the losses slavery had wrought. —Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025

Kelce — at fault for the second interception — redeemed himself by leading the team with 99 yards and a touchdown. —Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2025

Both of these offers are easy to redeem. —Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025

Here’s how to claim your lottery prize All Michigan Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. —Detroit Free Press Staff, Freep.com, 26 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English redemen, from Anglo-French redemer, modification of Latin redimere, from re-, red- re- + emere to take, buy; akin to Lithuanian imti to take

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing redeem

• redeem oneself

Rhymes for redeem

• abeam
• airstream
• bloodstream
• daydream
• downstream
• esteem
• extreme
• grapheme
• hakim
• hornbeam
• lexeme
• mainstream

Kids Definition

redeem

verb

re·​deem ri-ˈdēm 

1

: to buy or win back

2

a

: to free from captivity especially by paying a ransom

b

: to free from the penalties of sin

3

: to change for the better : reform

4

: to remove the obligation of by payment

the government redeems savings bonds

5

: to make good : fulfill

redeem a promise

redeemable

-ˈdē-mə-bəl 

adjective

redeemer

-ˈdē-mər

noun

Legal Definition

redeem

transitive verb

re·​deem ri-ˈdēm 

1

a

: repurchase

b

: to repurchase by right and not on the open market

redeem preferred shares

2

a

: to free from a lien or pledge usually by payment of the amount secured thereby

redeem collateral

b

: to exercise an equity of redemption in (real property) by payment in full of a mortgage debt after default but prior to a foreclosure becoming effective

a right to redeem property prior to the actual sale under a judgment of foreclosure

—Bowery Sav. Bank v. Harbert Offset Corp., 558 N.Y.S.2d 821 (1990)

see also equity of redemption

c

: to exercise a right of redemption in (real property) within the period set by law by a repurchase that voids the effect of foreclosure or sale see also right of redemption

Note: A mortgagor with a right of redemption might redeem property within the set period following a foreclosure sale by paying the new purchaser the purchase price, interest, taxes, and lawful charges.

d

: to remove the obligation of by payment (as at maturity)

redeem a bond

3

a

: to present and have redeemed

b

: to exchange for something of value

intransitive verb

: to redeem something (as real property)

failed to exercise its equity of redemption, and this part of the right to redeem was therefore cut off

—Hausman v. Dayton, 653 N.E.2d 1190 (1995)