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 Castel Badia is a member of Leading Hotels of the World, so guests can earn Leaders Club points that can be redeemed for free nights at any of the collection's 400-plus properties. Jenn Rice, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026 How to redeem your savings Rewards are issued quarterly. Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 6 Feb. 2026 In this view, very little in the existing order is worth redeeming. Laura K. Field, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026 Cost savings won’t be enough to redeem the decision in some residents’ eyes. Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 25 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for redeem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for redeem
Verb
  • Androw, owner of E & D Pizza in Avon and a leader on the national pizza scene is known for using pizza for good causes from hunger to fulfilling the wishes of terminally ill children.
    Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The Amazon distribution center in Stone Mountain is preparing to fulfill thousands of orders for Cyber Monday.
    Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • But his late-season move to the bullpen might have saved the whole year for him.
    Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Our signature take on this classic dip ditches frozen spinach for fresh, which has both a better flavor and color, but also saves time.
    Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • In response, local advocates formed the Neutaconkanut Hill Park Association to rehabilitate the park in 1976.
    Antonia Noori Farzan, The Providence Journal, 14 Feb. 2026
  • In his eastern Connecticut district, Courtney landed $2 million for the Connecticut Department of Housing to help with the expansion of affordable housing at Country Place in Colchester to rehabilitate 194 units of family housing.
    Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Lawyers, at times, were not compensated at all for this work.
    Raynee Howell, Oklahoma Watch, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Artists are compensated in other ways, though.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The marketing department came up with a tale to satisfy their curiosity.
    Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
  • There's no way to satisfy all of us with all of our ideas.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The president’s comments follow a development in the case that occurred earlier on Friday, when KOLD reported receiving another apparent ransom note, which could be tied to ransom messages sent to that media outlet and two others earlier this week, which investigators are continuing to probe.
    Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Are there negotiations connected to ransom demands?
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Years later, however, it was definitively reclaimed as a cult classic.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026
  • His passion for cinema is driven by a need to center the Hawaiian perspective, reclaiming narratives and dismantling long-standing stereotypes.
    Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • After serving her sentence, Thomas was ordered to repay $325,159 in restitution to the United States Department of Agriculture.
    Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 9 Feb. 2026
  • The lender gives money up front and then takes a weekly or daily cut of receipts directly from the borrower's bank account until the debt is repaid and then some.
    Scott Horsley, NPR, 9 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Redeem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/redeem. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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