REDEEM Synonyms: 106 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'redeem' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of redeem are deliver , ransom , reclaim , rescue , and save . While all these words mean "to set free from confinement or danger," redeem implies releasing from bondage or penalties by giving what is demanded or necessary. // job training designed to redeem school dropouts from chronic unemployment

Q: When is 'deliver' a more appropriate choice than 'redeem'?

The words deliver and redeem can be used in similar contexts, but deliver implies release usually of a person from confinement, temptation, slavery, or suffering. // delivered his people from bondage

Q: When can 'ransom' be used instead of 'redeem'?

Although the words ransom and redeem have much in common, ransom specifically applies to buying out of captivity. // tried to ransom the kidnap victim

Q: When might 'reclaim' be a better fit than 'redeem'?

The synonyms reclaim and redeem are sometimes interchangeable, but reclaim suggests a bringing back to a former state or condition of someone or something abandoned or debased. // reclaimed long-abandoned farms

Q: When would 'rescue' be a good substitute for 'redeem'?

While in some cases nearly identical to redeem , rescue implies freeing from imminent danger by prompt or vigorous action. // rescued the crew of a sinking ship

Q: In what contexts can 'save' take the place of 'redeem'?

The words save and redeem are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

redeem

verb

ri-ˈdēm

Definition of redeem

as in to fulfill

to do what is required by the terms of the Little League coach redeemed his promise to take the players out for ice cream if they improved their fielding over the season

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to save

to free from captivity or punishment by paying a price the government has consistently refused to redeem hostages captured by terrorists

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to forgive

to free from the penalties or consequences of sin the belief that sinners are redeemed by their faith in God

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to rehabilitate

to make better in behavior or character the unfaithful husband made a determined effort to redeem himself in the eyes of his wife and children

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to compensate

to make up for (an offense) quickly redeemed the offending remark with a sincere and unconditional apology

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb redeem contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of redeem are deliver, ransom, reclaim, rescue, and save. While all these words mean "to set free from confinement or danger," redeem implies releasing from bondage or penalties by giving what is demanded or necessary.

job training designed to redeem school dropouts from chronic unemployment

When is deliver a more appropriate choice than redeem?

The words deliver and redeem can be used in similar contexts, but deliver implies release usually of a person from confinement, temptation, slavery, or suffering.

delivered his people from bondage

When can ransom be used instead of redeem?

Although the words ransom and redeem have much in common, ransom specifically applies to buying out of captivity.

tried to ransom the kidnap victim

When might reclaim be a better fit than redeem?

The synonyms reclaim and redeem are sometimes interchangeable, but reclaim suggests a bringing back to a former state or condition of someone or something abandoned or debased.

reclaimed long-abandoned farms

When would rescue be a good substitute for redeem?

While in some cases nearly identical to redeem, rescue implies freeing from imminent danger by prompt or vigorous action.

rescued the crew of a sinking ship

In what contexts can save take the place of redeem?

The words save and redeem are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of redeem ClassPass credits can be redeemed for bundles of one, two, or four tickets. — Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 21 July 2026 Instead of the reserve income being held by a single issuer, it’s shared with partners who can also mint and redeem tokens at no cost. — Diane Brady, Fortune, 20 July 2026 From there, the fan can choose to redeem the 1-of-1 chase Pop! — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026 Better yet, redeeming the full $100 Chase Travel hotel credit can offset the card's $95 annual fee on its own. — Ryley Amond, CNBC, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for redeem

Recent Examples of Synonyms for redeem

Verb

The 21-year-old winger, who had been talking to The Athletic and other members of the English media, stopped chatting to fulfil the request.

— Simon Johnson, New York Times, 26 July 2026
But the promise of something more meaningful from these sequences is never fulfilled.

— Elena Lazic, Variety, 25 July 2026

Definition of fulfill

Verb

But Gold Phoenix was inside both his main rivals and might have saved just enough ground to make the difference.

— Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 July 2026
To save the cost and effort of pumping millions of liters of seawater solely to obtain minerals, the researchers propose bolting modular reactors onto coastal desalination plants, which already move enormous quantities of the stuff.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 July 2026

Definition of save

Verb

The tax housing credits are administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, and according to Abbott’s office will help rehabilitate over 4,400 affordable housing rental units.

— Mary Ella Hastings July 24, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 July 2026
Over the course of the project, crews will work to rehabilitate or replace 12 interchanges and 26 bridges.

— Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026

Definition of rehabilitate

Verb

On Tuesday, lawmakers approved every change except one dealing with how municipalities will be compensated for tax breaks.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 July 2026
No communication strategy, organizational structure or change initiative can compensate for leaders who struggle with self-awareness, emotional regulation, situational awareness and behavioral agility as their circumstances evolve.

— Tony Gambill, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of compensate

Verb

That posting also stated that TeamPCP is not holding GitHub to ransom but rather just looking to sell to a single buyer after which the data will be shredded.

— Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Despite the hype, Kyber suggests that PQC is attracting the attention of less technically inclined attorneys and executives deciding how to respond to ransom demands.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 23 Apr. 2026

Definition of ransom

Verb

Will Nvidia reclaim its number one position in the coming days, or will Apple still be the top dog?

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 28 July 2026
Fatigue, low motivation, weight gain and irritability are being reclaimed by primary care as signals of sleep debt, metabolic disease and untreated depression rather than default hormone problems.

— Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026

Definition of reclaim

Verb

Either owner of a joint savings account may be able to withdraw all the funds depending on the account agreement and state law, and both holders of a joint credit card are generally on the hook for repaying the debt regardless of who charged it.

— Ashley Lynch July 22, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 2026
Beijing has been a major foreign investor in Angola — Africa’s top recipient of Chinese loans — since the turn of the century, pioneering what came to be known as the Angola Model, in which Luanda repaid its Chinese loans with oil exports.

— Jenny Vaughan, semafor.com, 22 July 2026

Definition of repay

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“Redeem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/redeem. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of redeem

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