redeem

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 Points can be redeemed for prizes throughout the year. Sam Allard, Axios, 28 Jan. 2025 Please take some time to redeem me with your score. Brittney Melton, NPR, 24 Jan. 2025 Red envelopes can be redeemed for a free drink, $5 off an appetizer or a free entrée, depending on the reward inside. Laura Ness, The Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2025 Prize Package Conditions The Prize Package has no cash value and may not be redeemed for cash at any time. USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for redeem 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for redeem
Verb
  • The bookstore’s popularity has allowed Lewis, who is a longtime practitioner in the field of Afrocentric mental health, to fulfill a dream.
    Tony Perrottet, Travel + Leisure, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Parents and school boards have broad discretion to fulfill that important responsibility.
    Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 25 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • In 2017, there was a collaborative effort between Mexico and the United States to save vaquitas and place them in a pen under human care.
    Uma Raja, Sun Sentinel, 28 Jan. 2025
  • The Apple iPad mini (2024) is now available for just $399 (saving you a cool hundred bucks).
    Shubham Yewale, PCMAG, 28 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • For the educators, that creates an amusing challenge: The Sunny gang isn’t a pack of wayward teenagers waiting for an understanding mentor to show them the light, and their moral failures can’t be rehabilitated with a pep talk.
    Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Auditors also noted the social and educational efforts to rehabilitate prisoners and ready them to re-enter society.
    Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • If its landfill revenue falls, the county may have to compensate.
    Darin Oswald, Idaho Statesman, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Michael Polish’s film gamely tries to compensate for unspectacular production values with a lot of action — but its staging is pedestrian at best.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • The contributions were indeed necessary, for without them there would be no way, for example, to ransom Jewish captives (a major concern of the Diaspora communities throughout the Middle Ages), help the poor and the sick, provide for orphans, or fund synagogues and schools.
    Michael Walzer, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2011
Verb
  • This approach empowers brands to reclaim control of their narrative while effectively engaging with their audiences.
    Arthur Zaczkiewicz, WWD, 21 Jan. 2025
  • America will reclaim its rightful place as the greatest, most powerful, most respected nation on earth, inspiring the awe and admiration of the entire world.
    Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • However, the funds exchanged between the two brothers reflected a loan; James Biden repaid his brother after two major business deals, one with a U.S. company while the other came shortly after a deal Hunter Biden secured with a Chinese company.
    Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Seth Meyers loves to take a photo with a fan, Seth Meyers is a conscientious tipper, Aidy Bryant hasn’t gone cashless in this world of Apple Pay, and Meyers always repays his debts.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 17 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Summary Hazelnuts have several health benefits, including being nutritious, helping with weight management, reducing cardiovascular risk factors, satisfying hunger, and contributing to digestive health.
    Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 28 Jan. 2025
  • But the new information may not satisfy people hoping to fully clear the veil of mystery that has surrounded the killings in one of America’s darkest times in history, spinning up decades of conspiracy theories.
    Andy Rose, CNN, 25 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near redeem

Cite this Entry

“Redeem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/redeem. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on redeem

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!