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 Travelers can pool rewards with up to five people, allowing for more flexibility when redeeming. AFAR Media, 9 July 2025 Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Ryley Amond, CNBC, 8 July 2025 An average of 600,000 gifts (from chocolate to vitamins to cosmetics and clothes) are exchanged daily, the company says, in the form of mobile vouchers that can be redeemed at participating restaurants and retailers or ordered from the platform’s gift shop. John Kang, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025 This promo from Caesars Sportsbook is easy to redeem. Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for redeem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for redeem
Verb
  • Rather than making customers break down needs into searchable keywords, the AI will understand high-level goals and orchestrate the necessary actions to fulfill them.
    Kiri Masters, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
  • With Starliner delays, SpaceX has now landed 14 operational mission contracts and about to fly its 11th, while Boeing has yet to fulfill its first.
    Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 July 2025
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
  • Unfortunately, after consultations with the office, I was asked not to work this week to save my brain cells for the second half.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • Community Action and Human Services is merging with Juvenile Services, which helps rehabilitate youthful offenders.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 12 July 2025
  • These concentrations increased as Mexico worked to rehabilitate a major pipeline that is supposed to divert wastewater from the Tijuana River to treatment plants on both sides of the border.
    Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • The mesmerizing and visually appealing frames in the film are unable to compensate.
    Sweta Kaushal, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • Each review is voluntary and passengers are not compensated for their opinions.
    Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • What happened to the enslaved individuals or the Archbishop of Goa isn’t clear, though the viceroy was ransomed for $2,000.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 July 2025
  • This could suggest that while attackers are targeting more victims, fewer are giving in to ransom demands.
    Sam Sabin, Axios, 7 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Oasis’ greatest hits collection Time Flies… 1994-2009 reclaimed the top spot last week (July 11) as the band kicked off their Live ‘25 reunion tour.
    Thomas Smith, Billboard, 20 July 2025
  • There’s a clear battle between the two to see who becomes the leading alternate if Jones can’t reclaim his spot.
    Phil Rogers, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
Verb
  • In addition, members could be forced to repay the cost associated with tracking them down.
    John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 18 July 2025
  • Rhiannon Do did not make any repayment on the loan and Aloha is asking that it now be repaid.
    Michael Slaten, Oc Register, 17 July 2025
Verb
  • To satisfy presidential demands, field offices are directed to meet new daily arrest quotas—75 arrests per office—raising agency-wide targets to 1,200–1,500 arrests per day, up from only about a few hundred.
    Juwayriah Wright, Time, 15 July 2025
  • Chickpea Cookie Dough Chickpea cookie dough is high in protein and sure to satisfy a craving for sweetness.
    Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 15 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Redeem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/redeem. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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