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 How to Book Jumeirah Capri Palace is part of Jumeirah One, the company’s loyalty program, which allows members to earn and redeem points and access member-only offers across the brand’s hotel portfolio. Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 30 May 2026 Each offer is valid for 30 days after delivery and can be redeemed one at a time and there's a limit of one prize per person and household. Natassia Paloma, USA Today, 28 May 2026 In addition, consumers can also redeem digital codes found on eligible Blu-ray Discs and DVDs from participating studios. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 28 May 2026 While a majority of those redeeming tickets did show up, a significant number didn’t. Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for redeem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for redeem
Verb
  • If successful, Papapetropoulos believes that these efforts could redefine treatment for conditions linked to the blood-brain barrier, such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, and stroke, fulfilling his goal to change how these diseases are addressed.
    Matt Emma, USA Today, 3 June 2026
  • While the position entails fulfilling four roles, the job of the assessor arguably carries the highest stakes.
    Ryan Macasero, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
Verb
  • He is done trying to do the former by going to meetings and trying to save kids who can’t save themselves.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 1 June 2026
  • Do this enough times in a season and after a few years, investing in an entry level robotic pool cleaner may actually pay for itself in dollars as well as time saved.
    Brad Moon, Forbes.com, 31 May 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
  • When clarity is missing, teams compensate by adding more processes, controls and technology layers.
    Hari Sonnenahalli, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
  • For now, the blue-collar gains are compensating for the bleeding in entry-level hiring.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 June 2026
Verb
  • On the third floor, alongside the hotel's Center Pool, is The Sandbox, a refined poolside restaurant with American coastal dishes that will satisfy any of your poolside cravings.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
  • The juxtaposition of glossy and matte papers satisfied the papyrophile in Nilsson while adding a chewy subtext for viewers.
    Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 2 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
  • How to reclaim the lost art of apprenticeship and put in the work that’s needed to reach our highest potential.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
  • The ability to disconnect intentionally from these overwhelming stimuli—to reclaim one’s focus, clarity, and feeling of immediacy—has become rare and precious.
    Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 3 June 2026
Verb
  • The legislation follows other updates to 529 funds that allow them to be used to repay student loans or rolled over for retirement savings.
    Sharon Epperson,Stephanie Dhue, CNBC, 1 June 2026
  • Some of the hardest hit by high interest rates are smaller companies, which have a tougher time borrowing to grow when loans are more expensive to repay.
    Khaled Wassef, CBS News, 1 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Redeem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/redeem. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.

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