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 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
  1. fulfill
  2. save
  3. rehabilitate
  4. compensate
  5. ransom
  6. reclaim
  7. repay
  8. satisfy
Verb
  • Trump was elected to fulfill certain promises on immigration.
    — W. James Antle III, The Washington Examiner, 12 July 2025
  • The subpoenas are part of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department and the White House to fulfill President Donald Trump’s promises to curtail pediatric gender care.
    — Azeen Ghorayshi, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
Definition of fulfill
Verb
  • For more ways to save on your power bill or to see if opting out makes sense for your budget, visit Cyberguy.com/SaveonPower 7) Monitor comfort and performance Keep an eye on how your AC performs during demand events.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 14 July 2025
  • Their bravery and quick action undoubtedly saved many lives.
    — Shane Croucher John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
Definition of save
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
Definition of rehabilitate
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
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
  • In the end, though, there was no beating a refined mountain escape that reclaimed the No. 1 ranking it last won in 2023.
    — Sarah Bruning, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025
  • The company’s debut comes as Hong Kong has reclaimed its crown as the world’s top listing venue in 2025, driven by surging investor interest in tech stocks and mainland Chinese companies pivoting towards Hong Kong listings to hedge against U.S.-China tensions.
    — Cat Wang, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Definition of reclaim
Verb
  • Borrowers must typically repay their loans under an IDR plan while working in qualifying nonprofit or government employment on a full-time basis to receive PSLF credit toward loan forgiveness.
    — Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
  • In the case of a default, the deal called for Grubbs to repay investors their principle plus 18% interest.
    — Alexandria Burris, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Definition of repay
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
  • Judge Subramanian said the jurors must reach a unanimous verdict, but must not give up their convictions merely to return a verdict or satisfy the rest of the jurors.
    — Lauryn Overhultz , Tracy Wright , Maria Paronich , Brendan McDonald, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2025
Definition of satisfy

Browse Nearby Words

redecorating
redeem
redeemable
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Cite this Entry

“Redeem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/redeem. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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