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 offer is valid for one day while supplies last and shoppers must redeem the offer by clipping the coupon in the myLidl app and presenting it at checkout, the company told USA TODAY. Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 4 June 2026 These tickets must be redeemed at a Florida Lottery office. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 2 June 2026 Qatar lost all of their games in 2022 but redeemed themselves a year later by retaining the Asian Cup with a 3-1 victory over Jordan. Jay Harris, New York Times, 2 June 2026 However, people with gift cards and game-card credits should redeem them with the business before its final day. John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for redeem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for redeem
Verb
  • Lizete González, a Mexico fan, said the city has a long way to go to fulfill its promises.
    Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
  • The standard must be whether outcomes justified the investment, promises were fulfilled, and measurable results were achieved.
    Michele Steeb, Oc Register, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • Her fans, many sporting sheer red gloves, cat ears and varying levels of undress, were eager to be sated and reacted as if their souls were being saved within seconds of the start of each of the 23 songs Grande performed.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 7 June 2026
  • But as the two collaborators went on to explain, a superhero buddy comedy about a struggling actor that’s as interested in the logistics of auditions as saving the universe is a tough sell for any brand.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 June 2026
Verb
  • Biologist Cristhian Mace, with the LA County Parks and Recreation, is working with her team to rehabilitate and monitor the Eaton Canyon Natural Area as its ecosystem recovers from wildfire destruction.
    Joy Benedict, CBS News, 4 June 2026
  • Kittle, near his ideal playing weight, has rehabilitated on a side field throughout organized team activities.
    Cam Inman, Mercury News, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • For the Delfonts, who use a tape-recorder to capture this desperate plea, Leonora’s words serve as irrefutable proof that an academic career has failed to compensate for the absence of a husband and child.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
  • Schools that struggled to make the grade on math and English swiftly cut back on other subjects to compensate.
    Yoni Appelbaum, The Atlantic, 8 June 2026
Verb
  • On top of that, there aren't enough of them produced to satisfy carriers, as Boeing and Airbus ramp up output.
    Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 9 June 2026
  • Meta attempted to resolve the probe by charging rivals for access, but that didn't satisfy regulators, who threatened in April to force the company to reinstate access for free.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 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
  • Almost all of those lives reclaimed were children.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
  • The measure reshaped California’s congressional map ahead of the midterm elections, creating several districts that Democrats viewed as key opportunities in their effort to reclaim the House.
    Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • The company kicked off a minimum €400 million ($461 million) euro term loan B and a minimum $500 million term loan B on Monday, a deal that will go toward repaying outstanding debt, according to a person familiar with the deal, who asked not to be named because the information is private.
    Abhinav Ramnarayan, Bloomberg, 8 June 2026
  • Myers also engaged in a Ponzi scheme by using new investors' funds to repay earlier investors, prosecutors said.
    Adam Harrington, CBS News, 8 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Redeem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/redeem. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.

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