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redeem

verb
re·​deem | \ ri-ˈdēm How to pronounce redeem (audio) \
redeemed; redeeming; redeems

Definition of redeem

transitive verb

1a : 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
5a : 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
6a : to atone for : expiate redeem an error
b(1) : to offset the bad effect of
(2) : to make worthwhile : retrieve
Other Words from redeem Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about redeem

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Other Words from redeem

redeemable \ ri-​ˈdē-​mə-​bəl How to pronounce redeemable (audio) \ adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms for redeem

Synonyms

answer, complete, comply (with), fill, fulfill (or fulfil), keep, meet, satisfy

Antonyms

breach, break, transgress, violate

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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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 These included increasing demands from end-investors to redeem money from fund managers, and pessimism about the Chinese economy—which matters because Hong Kong’s stock market is dominated by mainland companies. — Joanne Chiu, WSJ, "Stock Disconnect: Mainland Chinese Investors Buy Fewer Shares in Hong Kong," 9 Jan. 2019 Interested parties will need to download the app to redeem the deal, though. — Fox News, "Celebrate National Cheeseburger Day with free or discounted burgers, and nothing else," 18 Sep. 2018 Airlines have long let customers redeem miles for things other than travel, such as using them to buy merchandise. — Lauren Zumbach, chicagotribune.com, "The new way to use your airline miles: Bears tickets, fancy meals and a walk-on role in a movie," 10 July 2018 Christians believe that Jesus came to redeem brokenness and will one day heal all of us. — Courtney Reissig, Washington Post, "Dear Christian moms: I don’t want to hear another boastful birth story," 11 May 2018 Indeed, Coates’s work picking out the best scenes and moments from a mess of daily footage likely redeemed many a weak performance. — David Sims, The Atlantic, "Remembering the Cinematic Magic of Anne V. Coates," 10 May 2018 Microsoft also makes gift cards that can be redeemed on the Microsoft Store for apps, movies, music, or games. — Cameron Faulkner, The Verge, "Still need to buy a gift? Here are some last minute digital essentials," 21 Dec. 2018 For instance, the Securities and Exchange Commission has opened dozens of investigations into initial coin offerings, in which companies sell digital tokens that can be redeemed for goods and services, because of suspicions that many are scams. — Bloomberg, latimes.com, "Justice Department opens criminal probe into price manipulation of Bitcoin, other digital currencies," 24 May 2018 Participants in the giveaway enter with a chance to win a $250 certificate that can be redeemed at a licensed gun dealer in Central Texas. — Dakin Andone, CNN, "Texas governor's website continues to tout shotgun giveaway in aftermath of school shooting," 20 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'redeem.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of redeem

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

History and Etymology for redeem

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

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Statistics for redeem

Last Updated

15 Mar 2019

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Time Traveler for redeem

The first known use of redeem was in the 15th century

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More Definitions for redeem

redeem

verb
How to pronounce redeem (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of redeem

: to make (something that is bad, unpleasant, etc.) better or more acceptable
: to exchange (something, such as a coupon or lottery ticket) for money, an award, etc.
: to buy back (something, such as a stock or bond)

See the full definition for redeem in the English Language Learners Dictionary

redeem

verb
re·​deem | \ ri-ˈdēm How to pronounce redeem (audio) \

Kids Definition of redeem

1 : to make up for The exciting ending redeemed the otherwise dull movie.
2 : to buy, get, or win back He redeemed his honor.
3 : to make good : fulfill You must redeem your promise.
4 : to exchange for something of value I redeemed my tickets for a prize.
5 : to free from sin

Other Words from redeem

redeemer noun

redeem

transitive verb
re·​deem | \ ri-ˈdēm How to pronounce redeem (audio) \

Legal Definition of redeem

1a : repurchase
b : to repurchase by right and not on the open market redeem preferred shares
2a : 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
3a : 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)

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More from Merriam-Webster on redeem

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with redeem

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for redeem

Spanish Central: Translation of redeem

Nglish: Translation of redeem for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of redeem for Arabic Speakers

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