redeem
verb
re·deem ri-ˈdēm 
redeemed; redeeming; redeems
transitive verb
1
a
: to buy back : repurchase
b
: to get or win back
2
: to free from what distresses or harms: such as
a
: to free from captivity by payment of ransom
b
: to extricate from or help to overcome something detrimental
c
: to release from blame or debt : clear
d
: to free from the consequences of sin
3
: to change for the better : reform
4
: repair, restore
5
a
: to free from a lien by payment of an amount secured thereby
b(1)
: to remove the obligation of by payment
the U.S. Treasury redeems savings bonds on demand
(2)
: to exchange for something of value
redeem trading stamps
c
: to make good : fulfill
6
a
: to atone for : expiate
redeem an error
b(1)
: to offset the bad effect of
(2)
: to make worthwhile : retrieve
redeemable
ri-ˈdē-mə-bəl
adjective 
Synonyms
- answer
- complete
- comply (with)
- fill
- fulfill
- fulfil
- keep
- meet
- satisfy
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Nearly 115 million Americans clip coupons and redeem them at some point during the year. 
David J. Morrow, New York Times, 17 Mar. 1996 … nor does the book try to justify whatever is reckless about it by claiming some redeeming social or political value. Philip Roth, Reading Myself and Others, 1975 She had once told Rowland that she would show him, some day, how gracious her manners could be; she was now redeeming her promise. Henry James, Roderick Hudson, 1875 We had, however, redeemed … the character of our country, by showing that there was at any rate a body of persons determined to use all the means which the law afforded to obtain justice for the injured. John Stuart Mill, Autobiography, 1874 Their temporal dominion is now confirmed by the reverence of a thousand years; and their noblest title is the free choice of a people, whom they had redeemed from slavery. Edward Gibbon, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, 1788 The exciting ending partially redeems what is otherwise a very dull movie. He wants to redeem his reputation. You can redeem this coupon at any store. You have 90 days to redeem your winning lottery ticket. This voucher can be redeemed for a free meal at several local restaurants. The government will pay you interest when it redeems the bonds you bought. The company redeemed some of its stock. See More
David J. Morrow, New York Times, 17 Mar. 1996 … nor does the book try to justify whatever is reckless about it by claiming some redeeming social or political value. Philip Roth, Reading Myself and Others, 1975 She had once told Rowland that she would show him, some day, how gracious her manners could be; she was now redeeming her promise. Henry James, Roderick Hudson, 1875 We had, however, redeemed … the character of our country, by showing that there was at any rate a body of persons determined to use all the means which the law afforded to obtain justice for the injured. John Stuart Mill, Autobiography, 1874 Their temporal dominion is now confirmed by the reverence of a thousand years; and their noblest title is the free choice of a people, whom they had redeemed from slavery. Edward Gibbon, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, 1788 The exciting ending partially redeems what is otherwise a very dull movie. He wants to redeem his reputation. You can redeem this coupon at any store. You have 90 days to redeem your winning lottery ticket. This voucher can be redeemed for a free meal at several local restaurants. The government will pay you interest when it redeems the bonds you bought. The company redeemed some of its stock. See More Recent Examples on the Web Shoppers can earn and redeem rewards both in-store and online. Bill Hardekopf, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 In mid-September, rates drop to $236 round trip on Delta (Sept. 19-25), or redeem 13,000 Skymiles frequent flyer points. Scott Mcmurren, Anchorage Daily News, 16 July 2022 For instance, vacationers who book through Onefinestay, the high-end rental company that AccorHotels purchased in 2016, can earn and redeem points with Accor’s Live Limitless program. Washington Post, 6 May 2022 Each customer can redeem the offer one time at participating locations. Kelly Tyko, USA TODAY, 5 May 2022 Good: Earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points, high quality standards. cleveland, 1 May 2022 Customers can redeem the deals through in-store, drive-thru, and online pickup. Garfield Hylton, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2022 But only CryptoPunk holders can redeem the physical necklace through minting—the process of turning a digital file into a crypto collectible or digital asset recorded on the blockchain. Christine Mui, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2022 Or, redeem 42,500 Alaska Airlines miles, changing planes in Seattle. Scott Mcmurren, Anchorage Daily News, 16 July 2022 See More
Bill Hardekopf, Forbes, 25 Aug. 2022 In mid-September, rates drop to $236 round trip on Delta (Sept. 19-25), or redeem 13,000 Skymiles frequent flyer points. Scott Mcmurren, Anchorage Daily News, 16 July 2022 For instance, vacationers who book through Onefinestay, the high-end rental company that AccorHotels purchased in 2016, can earn and redeem points with Accor’s Live Limitless program. Washington Post, 6 May 2022 Each customer can redeem the offer one time at participating locations. Kelly Tyko, USA TODAY, 5 May 2022 Good: Earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points, high quality standards. cleveland, 1 May 2022 Customers can redeem the deals through in-store, drive-thru, and online pickup. Garfield Hylton, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2022 But only CryptoPunk holders can redeem the physical necklace through minting—the process of turning a digital file into a crypto collectible or digital asset recorded on the blockchain. Christine Mui, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2022 Or, redeem 42,500 Alaska Airlines miles, changing planes in Seattle. Scott Mcmurren, Anchorage Daily News, 16 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English redemen, from Anglo-French redemer, modification of Latin redimere, from re-, red- re- + emere to take, buy; akin to Lithuanian imti to take
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing redeem
Kids Definition
redeem
verb
re·deem ri-ˈdēm
1
: to make up for
The exciting ending redeemed the otherwise dull movie.
2
: to buy, get, or win back
He redeemed his honor.
3
: to make good : fulfill
You must redeem your promise.
4
: to exchange for something of value
I redeemed my tickets for a prize.
5
: to free from sin
Legal Definition
redeem
transitive verb
re·deem ri-ˈdēm
1
a
: repurchase
b
: to repurchase by right and not on the open market
redeem preferred shares
2
a
: to free from a lien or pledge usually by payment of the amount secured thereby
redeem collateral
b
: to exercise an equity of redemption in (real property) by payment in full of a mortgage debt after default but prior to a foreclosure becoming effective
a right to redeem property prior to the actual sale under a judgment of foreclosure Bowery Sav. Bank v. Harbert Offset Corp., 558 N.Y.S.2d 821 (1990)
see also equity of redemption Bowery Sav. Bank v. Harbert Offset Corp., 558 N.Y.S.2d 821 (1990) c
: to exercise a right of redemption in (real property) within the period set by law by a repurchase that voids the effect of foreclosure or sale see also right of redemption
Note: A mortgagor with a right of redemption might redeem property within the set period following a foreclosure sale by paying the new purchaser the purchase price, interest, taxes, and lawful charges.
d
: to remove the obligation of by payment (as at maturity)
redeem a bond
3
a
: to present and have redeemed
b
: to exchange for something of value
intransitive verb
: to redeem something (as real property)
failed to exercise its equity of redemption, and this part of the right to redeem was therefore cut off Hausman v. Dayton, 653 N.E.2d 1190 (1995)
Hausman v. Dayton, 653 N.E.2d 1190 (1995)redeem
verb
1
as in to fulfill
to do what is required by the terms of the Little League coach redeemed his promise to take the players out for ice cream if they improved their fielding over the season Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- fulfill
- satisfy
- fulfil
- keep
- complete
- fill
- meet
- finalize
- make good
- answer
- abide by
- accomplish
- execute
- achieve
- finish
- comply (with)
- consummate
- perfect
- make good on
- carry out
- make
- effect
- conclude
- commit
- perform
- bring about
- bring off
- discharge
- compass
- follow through (with)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- break
- violate
- transgress
- breach
- forget
- ignore
- disregard
- overlook
- slight
- neglect
- default (on)
- pass over
- overpass
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
- save
- ransom
- rescue
- retrieve
- recover
- release
- regain
- bail
- buy
- liberate
- salvage
- get back
- deliver
- emancipate
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
- save
- forgive
- deliver
- reclaim
- pardon
- bless
- reform
- purify
- remit
- sanctify
- consecrate
- shrive
- hallow
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
- rehabilitate
- reclaim
- improve
- regenerate
- restore
- habilitate
- reform
- refine
- reeducate
- purify
- amend
- cleanse
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- subvert
- degrade
- poison
- demoralize
- lower
- debauch
- pervert
- prostitute
- warp
- deprave
- corrupt
- profane
- abase
- demean
- canker
5
as in to repay
to make up for (an offense) quickly redeemed the offending remark with a sincere and unconditional apology Synonyms & Similar Words
- repay
- compensate
- expiate
- amend
- correct
- rectify
- reimburse
- redress
- remunerate
- make amends for
- mend
- atone (for)
- make good for
- recompense
- propitiate
Synonym Chooser
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
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
Although the words ransom and redeem have much in common, ransom specifically applies to buying out of captivity.
tried to ransom the kidnap victim
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
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
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
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