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 In the seventh inning of a 1-all tie, Teoscar Hernández redeemed himself for another fielding blunder with a single that finally drove dizzying Braves starter Tyler Mahle from the game. — Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026 Week 4 of the NFL season featured dramatic fourth-quarter comebacks, quarterbacks who redeemed themselves, quarterbacks who continued to struggle and three teams left standing with undefeated records. — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2026 The infamous stage musical adaptation of Stephen King’s novel about a telekinetic high schooler was a massive Broadway flop in 1988 but has been redeemed by steady community and college theater productions over the decades since. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 2026 Despite these issues, salty whey still has one redeeming quality. — New Atlas, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for redeem

Recent Examples of Synonyms for redeem

Verb

The Chair44 discovery, on the other hand, fulfills a decades-long quest to find a strong example.

— Rachel Crowell, Scientific American, 12 Oct. 2026
My heart is not in it, my kids are my life, my work supports us and fulfills me, along with hobbies.

— Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of fulfill

Verb

In what was actually an uneventful game for nearly three full quarters, each squad decided to save their best theatrics until the final minutes.

— Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
The Texas Senate race is the most expensive race in the country right now, and Republicans are pouring $200 million to save the nominee there.

— Jacob Brogan, Vox, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of save

Verb

In her experience, the criminal justice system doesn’t do nearly enough to rehabilitate the incarcerated and address the underlying issues, often based in trauma, that lead people to commit crimes.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026
As of Saturday, the ministry said, more than 270 wild animals in Indonesia's part of Borneo had been rescued, rehabilitated or guided to safer habitats, including 46 orangutans rescued by YIARI.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of rehabilitate

Verb

In which case, who is ultimately on the hook to compensate any victims?

— Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026
Government spending remains well above its peers in the politically sensitive realm of social protections, particularly pensions and healthcare, while tepid economic growth has failed to compensate.

— Jenni Reid, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of compensate

Verb

Here are 16 satisfying activities and rituals to add to your fall bucket list.

— Clare Marie Schneider, NPR, 10 Oct. 2026
Unlike quiches, frittatas are crustless, but this version doesn’t skimp on satisfying carbs, thanks to coils of spaghetti that become crisp and caramelized on the edges and soft and fluffy in the eggy center.

— Lizzy Briskin, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of satisfy

Verb

Someone had come up with the idea of kidnapping Shergar and holdin' him to ransom.

— Jon Wertheim, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026
Bond is forced up against Blofeld (Telly Savalas), who has a plan to ransom the entire world, threatening the global food supply with biological agents designed to render crops and livestock infertile.

— Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of ransom

Verb

The Dragons reclaimed the lead with a gutsy 10-yard rushing TD from Tomcheck, who broke a tackle and fell backward into the end zone.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Oct. 2026
Nature is working to reclaim downtown Port-au-Prince after years of dereliction and gang warfare.

— Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of reclaim

Verb

Lenders may also consider other factors, such as your employment history and existing debt, when evaluating your ability to repay the loan.

— Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
That surprise vote in May prompted state lawmakers to threaten to force Charlotte and other local governments to repay hundreds of millions of dollars spent on the project.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of repay

Cite this Entry

Style

“Redeem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/redeem. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of redeem

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