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

Relevance

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 There’s room at ELG for further integrations, cost reductions, and synergies, like creating a new loyalty program where points accumulated at Saks, Neiman’s or Bergdorf’s could be redeemed at any of those stores. — David Moin, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026 Unredeemed codes convert only to store credit after that window closes, and once a code is redeemed, the sale is final. — New Atlas, 1 Sep. 2026 Related Stories In response, legislative leaders and the governor’s office agreed to let studios to redeem tax credits for cash in two years instead of five. — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 1 Sep. 2026 This is a new-user offer, and licenses must be redeemed within 30 days of purchase. — Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for redeem

Recent Examples of Synonyms for redeem

Verb

The study successfully fulfilled the terms of the National Environmental Policy Act.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
Louise Fletcher, also interviewed and a lovely presence, wanted a fulfilling artistic experience and got chaos.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of fulfill

Verb

British driver Ollie Millroy thanked rival Loek Hartog for saving his life after the Dutch racer stopped and pulled him from a burning Ferrari during a China GT Championship race in Shanghai on Saturday.

— Reuters, NBC news, 7 Sep. 2026
This was early November, three weeks before the famous formation change (to a 5-3-2) at Manchester City in their next away fixture which saved Leeds’ season.

— Beren Cross, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of save

Verb

The developers now plan to rehabilitate the building to add apartments and tenant amenities while restoring the exterior to its historic appearance, alongside adding a nearby dog park and a surface parking lot.

— Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026
The rescuers contacted The Arrow Fund, a Louisville nonprofitdedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animal victims of abuse.

— Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of rehabilitate

Verb

The aged stock had lost two stops of sensitivity, meaning the image on the old film was substantially darker, which had to be compensated for with additional lighting.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026
But first, brand leaders must get on board and earn trust by making responsible product decisions and not relying on communications to compensate for products that fail consumers.

— Titania Jordan, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of compensate

Verb

To satisfy its voracity for billions of pages, Anthropic started out by placing mass orders with wholesalers, before turning to individual and secondhand booksellers to help fill in the gaps.

— Francesca Mancino, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2026
There are other ways to provide enrichment, like rotating toys every day to stimulate exploration, using puzzle feeder dishes to satisfy hunting behaviors and playing videos for your cat showing birds or fish.

— Emily Tarinelli, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of satisfy

Verb

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
What Andert argues in his video is that LINXS has effectively ransomed LAX to the tune of $880 million — so far — to complete the supposedly less than 3 percent that remains to be built on the project.

— Oren Peleg, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of ransom

Verb

If that’s the case, McNeill could finally be ready to reclaim his status as one of the league’s best young defensive tackles.

— Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Kansas has a decades-long history of not electing consecutive governors of the same party, suggesting that Masterson is well-positioned to reclaim the governor’s mansion from Democrat Laura Kelly.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of reclaim

Verb

Because Leonard and the NBA Players Association signed off on his repaying $700,000, there was no further process that would require an arbitrator.

— John Hollinger, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
If those IOUs are set to be repaid many years from now, they’re called bonds.

— Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of repay

Cite this Entry

Style

“Redeem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/redeem. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of redeem

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

stigma

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes