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

Relevance

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 The lattice work inside SAP center redeems its boxy exterior. — Scott Herhold, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2025 Continue using BetMGM to redeem a variety of perks, like discounts for shopping and stays at MGM Resorts. BetMGM Bonus Code: Start with $150 Bonus or $1.5K Wager Register with our BetMGM bonus code on Wednesday to get ready for the NCAA Tournament. — Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025 Best of all, travelers can also redeem Alaska Air Mileage Plan frequent flyer miles for the one-way deals on select flights as low as 4,500 miles. — Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 18 Mar. 2025 UConn won last year’s meeting in Portland 80-73 as the 3-seed, but USC redeemed itself with a 72-70 upset of the Huskies in Hartford on Dec. 21 this season. — Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 17 Mar. 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
  • Jason's presence could fulfill an ancient prophecy of a Seeker who will use the staff to free the Monkey King.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Reaching out and connecting with another person fulfills a basic human need for belonging and validation.
    — Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of fulfill
Verb
  • While Jun-no’s priority is saving the company, more than a few executives are focused on saving themselves.
    — Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025
  • The anime follows secret agents hunting for a vaccine to save humanity.
    — Rebecca Luther, TVLine, 29 Mar. 2025
Definition of save
Verb
  • Given Boeing's past missteps and problems, the flying public deserves to hear what changes are being made to rehabilitate the company's tarnished reputation.
    — Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Flashback: In 1989, the Fremont Arts Council launched a public art contest to rehabilitate the area under the bridge using neighborhood matching funds from the city.
    — Christine Clarridge, Axios, 25 Mar. 2025
Definition of rehabilitate
Verb
  • But to compensate for the gap in conventional capabilities and lower-yield nuclear weapons, Europe would have to rely on extended deterrence provided by its two nuclear states.
    — Mark S. Bell, Foreign Affairs, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Trump has also referred to a rare earth minerals agreement as a way for the US to be compensated for the aid and military assistance sent to Ukraine.
    — Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 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
  • There’s still work to do before reclaiming the highs just below 72, but if the broader market starts to stabilize, EBAY could make another run at that breakout zone.
    — Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Regardless, the failure to reclaim Wisconsin’s court will have large-scale consequences given the activism of the liberal majority.
    — The Editors, National Review, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of reclaim
Verb
  • When asked if Rambo ever provided a reason for not repaying her, Patel said no.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The feds said trial evidence would have proven how Adams partly repaid the bribes by forcing former FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro to disregard safety concerns by prematurely opening a skyscraper in Midtown housing Turkey’s consulate in time for a visit by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
    — Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of repay
Verb
  • That explanation has failed to satisfy Democrats who say that plans for imminent military strikes are regularly classified.
    — David Klepper, Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2025
  • One of the requirements to satisfy the banks into loaning Arsenal the money was a commitment for Wenger to stay for five years.
    — Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 28 Mar. 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 12 Apr. 2025.

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