redeem

Definition of redeemnext
1
2
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

3
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

4
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

5
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 The Ghoul betrays Lucy during the journey, but does, eventually redeem himself, somewhat. The Deadline Team, Deadline, 10 June 2026 The code must be redeemed within 30 days of purchase. Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 10 June 2026 Steam users will still be able to redeem existing physical gift cards, and retailers will be able to sell physical gift cards that are already in stores. Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 10 June 2026 This ticket must be redeemed at one of the Florida Lottery district offices. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for redeem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for redeem
Verb
  • The operators of Sakura Market hope to fulfill the numerous grocery and dining needs of people downtown.
    George Avalos, Mercury News, 17 June 2026
  • Making savings while fulfilling our mission means a doubly difficult time for everyone.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • John Hoffman credits his daughter, Hope, for calling 911 and saving their lives.
    Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield, CBS News, 14 June 2026
  • This act may save lives of others in the path of dangerous weather.
    KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 14 June 2026
Verb
  • Tax credits are given to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, which then awards them to private developers who build or rehabilitate low- and moderate-income housing.
    Christina Zhang, CBS News, 18 June 2026
  • The 75-bed center will provide treatment, counseling and other services designed to rehabilitate minor offenders whose mental problems are contributing to them repeatedly ending up in police custody.
    Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • So in one scenario, the researchers held the planet’s temperature constant (equal to today’s) and let CO2 drop to compensate exactly for the brighter Sun.
    Scott K. Johnson, ArsTechnica, 15 June 2026
  • Add 2 ounces of water to compensate for shaking.
    Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 13 June 2026
Verb
  • Unlike Magazine Dreams, the modest but satisfying Test avoids the lurid descent into violent psychodrama that swerved into hallucinatory Taxi Driver territory and undercut that film’s integrity.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026
  • Each season is a slow burn that builds episode by episode into an absorbing, satisfying whole.
    Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 15 June 2026
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
Verb
  • But the biggest milestone of the night was Clark reclaiming the top spot on the WNBA assists leaderboard.
    Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2026
  • Ilunga’s successors tried to reclaim the incident as a moment of humour, too.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • In other words, as much as 8% of the district’s budget gets spent on repaying debt.
    Joe Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026
  • Others, such as Langley, scoffed at the idea of repaying NCDOT.
    Nicholas Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Redeem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/redeem. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.

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