redeem

verb

ri-ˈdēm How to pronounce redeem (audio)
Definition of redeemnext
1
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
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 Benning redeemed himself minutes later, threading a blue-line blast through traffic on a late-period power play to tie the game at 2-2, reawakening the Charlotte crowd and shifting momentum back to the home team. —Colin Cerniglia, Charlotte Observer, 17 May 2025 Chargers Jim Harbaugh taking a new approach to evaluating Chargers’ rookie talent May 10, 2025 Week 17, HOUSTON, TBD: Herbert can redeem himself against the defense that grabbed four interceptions in the Chargers’ 2024 playoff flop. —Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025 The Tigers likely would not be here without Báez, rejuvenated and redeemed. —Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 14 May 2025 Guests can earn points to redeem for complimentary nights and enjoy perks such as free Wi-Fi, late check-out, and more. —David Shortell, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for redeem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for redeem
  1. fulfill
  2. save
  3. rehabilitate
  4. compensate
  5. ransom
  6. reclaim
  7. repay
  8. satisfy
Verb
  • Ultimately, hundreds of thousands of potential buyers chose not to fulfill their orders, and many of them could have had reasons related to the EV's design flaws.
    — Charles Singh, USA Today, 24 May 2025
  • This not only fulfills regulatory requirements but also reassures investors about the company's commitment to safeguarding assets and information.
    — Sean Stein Smith, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
Definition of fulfill
Verb
  • Both teams had their first two penalties saved, before Steaua eventually got themselves together to score two… which was enough because Barca missed all four of theirs.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • Reforming laws like these would save large quantities of water.
    — Suwanna Gauntlett Upjohn, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Definition of save
Verb
  • The program has rescued and rehabilitated 24 seals in 2025 alone, according to the aquarium.
    — Staff report, Hartford Courant, 22 May 2025
  • Nor were they educated or important enough to be rehabilitated into the West German government — like the former Nazis who, by 1957, made up some 76 percent of the senior officials in the Justice Ministry of the Federal Republic.
    — Henry Leutwyler Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Quinton Kamara, New York Times, 20 May 2025
Definition of rehabilitate
Verb
  • In 2020, a judge ruled that shareholders had been fairly compensated.
    — Jemima McEvoy, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • If a borrower, in this case, the U.S. government defaults on its debt, the seller must compensate the buyer.
    — Lee Ying Shan,Anniek Bao, CNBC, 28 May 2025
Definition of compensate
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
Definition of ransom
Verb
  • To reclaim this territory, refresh your content strategy to include product FAQs, blog posts discussing certain products and features, and long-tail keyword optimization with links back to your products.
    — Daniel Kamen, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • According to the lawsuit, obtained by Rolling Stone, the pair filed notices of termination in 2022 to reclaim the master rights, which are owned by UMG’s Next Plateau Records and London Records, signed in 1986 and 1992, respectively.
    — Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2025
Definition of reclaim
Verb
  • Meanwhile, private sector workers continue to bear residual financial burdens despite repaying their loans.
    — Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 May 2025
  • Social Security benefits can generally be reduced by up to 15% to repay student debt in default, so long as beneficiaries are left with at least $750 per month.
    — Annie Nova,Ali McCadden, CNBC, 18 May 2025
Definition of repay
Verb
  • The service offers a number of filters for other dietary requirements, and satisfying taste and texture—not always a guarantee on ready-to-eat meals.
    — Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 28 May 2025
  • With so much natural beauty right at its doorstep, this region of Chile is bound to satisfy those who are seeking a unique experience.
    — Kimberley Mok, Travel + Leisure, 26 May 2025
Definition of satisfy

Browse Nearby Words

redecorating
redeem
redeemable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Redeem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/redeem. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

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