redeem

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 This ticket must be redeemed at the Florida Lottery main office or one of the district offices. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025 It’s recommended that successful claimants cash checks within 90 days and redeem the PayPal payment within 30 days. Rebecca Schneid, Time, 28 June 2025 Click on it to access the discounts and show your phone to an employee to redeem them. Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2025 Last Verified On June 22, 2025 Information Confirmed By Newsweek All of these offers are easy to redeem with the Fanatics Sportsbook promo offer. Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for redeem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for redeem
Verb
  • Committee Chairman Tim Walberg, R-Mich., first sent a letter to Schill to testify in April, accusing Northwestern of failing to fulfill its commitment to protect Jewish students.
    Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 2025
  • Many hotels in the city are required to have clean-air transportation as part of their development agreement, which ATN fulfills.
    Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • While gymnasts are flying inside a venue during the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Archer Aviation electric air taxis will be flitting through the air above the area saving athletes, VIPs, guests and myriad others from performing brutal traffic acrobatics to get from place-to-place.
    Ed Garsten, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • One reported a 60% increase in sales within four months, while another saved 30-hours per week on decision-making processes, according to Medone.
    Sonia Osorio, Miami Herald, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • More to come: Findlay Flats and Grant Park Nearly a dozen historic buildings across Vine and Elder Streets near the new community center will be rehabilitated into 45 mixed-income apartments.
    Sydney Franklin, The Enquirer, 3 July 2025
  • The chances of Combs’ image itself being significantly rehabilitated seems slim, given that violent, abusive behavior was caught on camera and aired to millions of people around the world.
    Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • Despite some backsliding, the EU still holds to its goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, by cutting greenhouse gases and compensating for any remaining emissions.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 4 July 2025
  • In heavy rain, allow an additional two seconds of distance to compensate for reduced traction and braking effectiveness.
    Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • This could suggest that while attackers are targeting more victims, fewer are giving in to ransom demands.
    Sam Sabin, Axios, 7 Feb. 2025
  • While Mikhail managed to escape by climbing out a window and taking refuge in a nearby nunnery, the men took his son hostage, and Mikhail was not able to ransom him until several days later.
    Youmna Melhem Chamieh, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • As Aura begins dictating her every word and action, Poppy battles to reclaim her autonomy.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 25 June 2025
  • But when a hidden connection between the women comes to light, Charlotte must confront the past to reclaim her future.
    Lizz Schumer, People.com, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • These half-century-old awards, which don’t need to be repaid, make a big difference in whether students from families of modest means enroll and stay in college, their supporters say.
    Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
  • Under the law, customers would remain responsible for whatever costs are approved by PURA, but repay them in smaller monthly installments over a longer period.
    Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • This level of detail positions your content as the go-to resource that satisfies even the most specific queries.
    Kevin Dam, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • Now, Diesel has confirmed that Fast and Furious will end the long journey classically by satisfying the three wishes that fans made.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Redeem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/redeem. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

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