redeemed; redeeming; redeems
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
5
Synonyms
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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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.
See More
Recent Examples on the Web
The greatest beneficiary was Newton himself, one character in this half-century tale who never gets redeemed.
—Hannah E. Meyers, National Review, 10 Sep. 2023
No promo code is needed to redeem the offer, just head to the deal page and start window shopping.
—Kyler Alvord, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2023
Officials have also implemented a ‘National Steps Challenge’ where residents can redeem points and use them at local restaurants and shops after logging 10,000 steps per day.
—Byalexa Mikhail, Fortune Well, 29 Aug. 2023
Watch Now 9 Les Misérables (2012) Les Miserables - Official Movie Trailer 2012 (HD)
Watch on
Set in early 19th century France, Les Misérables tells the story of Valjean, a poor man who is released from prison and determined to redeem himself.
—Christine Giordano, Women's Health, 27 Aug. 2023
Green points could then be redeemed to plant a tree under the customer’s name (but that’s a whole other can of worms).
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 7 Sep. 2023
So far, 250 of the vouchers claimed last June were redeemed.
—Sofia Jeremias, The Salt Lake Tribune, 1 Sep. 2023
While appeals may delay any payments, eligible customers who were charged a service fee should submit a claim no later than Jan. 10, 2024 to receive either a cash payment or up to two free medium entrée vouchers that can be redeemed on Panda Express’ website or app.
—Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY, 31 Aug. 2023
Investors redeemed 91% of the shares in de-SPACs that debuted this month on average, the SPAC Research data show.
—Bailey Lipschultz, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2023
See More
Hannah E. Meyers, National Review, 10 Sep. 2023
No promo code is needed to redeem the offer, just head to the deal page and start window shopping.
—Kyler Alvord, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2023
Officials have also implemented a ‘National Steps Challenge’ where residents can redeem points and use them at local restaurants and shops after logging 10,000 steps per day.
—Byalexa Mikhail, Fortune Well, 29 Aug. 2023
Watch Now 9 Les Misérables (2012) Les Miserables - Official Movie Trailer 2012 (HD)
Watch on
Set in early 19th century France, Les Misérables tells the story of Valjean, a poor man who is released from prison and determined to redeem himself.
—Christine Giordano, Women's Health, 27 Aug. 2023
Green points could then be redeemed to plant a tree under the customer’s name (but that’s a whole other can of worms).
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 7 Sep. 2023
So far, 250 of the vouchers claimed last June were redeemed.
—Sofia Jeremias, The Salt Lake Tribune, 1 Sep. 2023
While appeals may delay any payments, eligible customers who were charged a service fee should submit a claim no later than Jan. 10, 2024 to receive either a cash payment or up to two free medium entrée vouchers that can be redeemed on Panda Express’ website or app.
—Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY, 31 Aug. 2023
Investors redeemed 91% of the shares in de-SPACs that debuted this month on average, the SPAC Research data show.
—Bailey Lipschultz, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'redeem.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of redeem was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing redeem
Dictionary Entries Near redeem
Cite this Entry
“Redeem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/redeem. Accessed 30 Sep. 2023.
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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
redeemer
noun
-ˈdē-mər
Legal Definition
redeem
transitive verb
re·deem
ri-ˈdēm
1
a
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
Bowery Sav. Bank v. Harbert Offset Corp., 558 N.Y.S.2d 821 (1990)
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
: 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)
Hausman v. Dayton, 653 N.E.2d 1190 (1995)
More from Merriam-Webster on redeem
Nglish: Translation of redeem for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of redeem for Arabic Speakers
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