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

Examples 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 However, Villeneuve was shockingly snubbed for best director, which many hope will be redeemed this time. Clayton Davis, Variety, 10 Dec. 2024 These tokens can be redeemed for healthcare services, lowering out-of-pocket costs for patients. Chrissa McFarlane, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024 Of course, not all seriousness that fails can be redeemed as Camp. Daisy Jones, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2024 Vouchers can be redeemed at retailers who are participating in the program, including 131 retailers in Los Angeles and Orange counties. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 9 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for redeem 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for redeem
Verb
  • Many of the happiest super-agers never retire and have purposeful jobs that fulfill them.
    Renée Onque, CNBC, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Meanwhile, the backlog of unfulfilled orders has reached a record 17,000: at current delivery rates, this would take 14 years to fulfill, although the wait time is expected to eventually shorten.
    Ted Reed, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Arkansas' executive branch agencies could save or avoid spending about $300 million in the next six years, according to a report published Monday.
    Worth Sparkman, Axios, 17 Dec. 2024
  • Preparing your dish in a slow cooker saved you hours of time.
    Macie Stump, Southern Living, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Like other forms of therapy, a successful MT plan is designed based on the area being rehabilitated.
    Mill Etienne, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
  • No sooner had the fire been contained in a few hours than €800 million ($845 million) was raised to rehabilitate the structure, whose iconic wooden spire collapsed, its roof destroyed.
    Sarah Belmont, ARTnews.com, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The future could involve more proactive collaboration between insurers and manufacturers to not just compensate users for their losses but also actively reduce theft rates by advocating for stronger, universal security standards across the industry.
    Kevin Gillan, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
  • Under these circumstances the workers will usually be compensated for their unpaid labor once the relevant appropriations bill is enacted.
    Gord Magill, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Such data, depending on the sensitivity, can be held to ransom against a threat of publication to a leak site or sale to the highest criminal bidder.
    Davey Winder, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
  • They were taken by speedboats to the jungles of the southern Philippine province of Sulu, where they were held in harsh conditions before being mostly ransomed off using millions of dollars reportedly provided by then-Libyan leader Moammar Kadafi.
    Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • This could empower farmers to reclaim their autonomy and give them the resources to help fight climate change.
    Henry Duckworth, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
  • To reclaim the promise of representative government — a government that serves the people, not corporate ledgers.
    Dave Catalfamo, New York Daily News, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • In response, the House Democratic Caucus has threatened to file an ethics complaint against Lee to force the governor to repay the funds.
    Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
  • Amad is beginning to repay that faith, and then some.
    Carl Anka, The Athletic, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Federal officials said the company must still satisfy certain technical, legal, environmental and financial conditions before the loan is funded.
    Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024
  • Get The Recipe 04 of 18 Steak Taco Salad For a healthier way to satisfy your taco cravings, forgo tortillas and corn chips in favor of spring mix salad greens loaded up with all your favorite fresh Tex-Mex toppings.
    Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 16 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near redeem

Cite this Entry

“Redeem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/redeem. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.

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