1 redeem | Definition of redeem
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

redeem

verb
re·​deem | \ ri-ˈdÄ“m How to pronounce redeem (audio) \
redeemed; redeeming; redeems

Definition of redeem

transitive verb

1a : 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
5a : 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
6a : to atone for : expiate redeem an error
b(1) : to offset the bad effect of
(2) : to make worthwhile : retrieve
Other Words from redeem Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about redeem

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from redeem

redeemable \ ri-​ˈdÄ“-​mÉ™-​bÉ™l How to pronounce redeemable (audio) \ adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms for redeem

Synonyms

answer, complete, comply (with), fill, fulfill (or fulfil), keep, meet, satisfy

Antonyms

breach, break, transgress, violate

Visit the Thesaurus for More 

Choose the Right Synonym for redeem

rescue, deliver, redeem, ransom, reclaim, save mean to set free from confinement or danger. rescue implies freeing from imminent danger by prompt or vigorous action. rescued the crew of a sinking ship deliver implies release usually of a person from confinement, temptation, slavery, or suffering. delivered his people from bondage redeem implies releasing from bondage or penalties by giving what is demanded or necessary. job training designed to redeem school dropouts from chronic unemployment ransom specifically applies to buying out of captivity. tried to ransom the kidnap victim reclaim suggests a bringing back to a former state or condition of someone or something abandoned or debased. reclaimed long-abandoned farms 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 of redeem in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

 As forgettable as the SEC’s Week 1 turned out to be, Week 2 could be equally redeeming. — Christopher Smith, al, "Week 2 SEC football betting preview," 7 Sep. 2019 But there was one redeeming quality for Sandra, and that was crab season. — Alyson Pomerantz, Longreads, "Anaphylaxis of the Mind," 3 Sep. 2019 To redeem, add your pieces to your shopping cart and enter the promo code SPORT30 at checkout. — Kami Phillips, CNN Underscored, "Get 30% off sitewide at Adidas, now through Sept. 3," 28 Aug. 2019 Folks who take selfies with the bugs can redeem them for prizes at the gift shop while supplies last. — Deborah Martin, ExpressNews.com, "Giant bugs return to the San Antonio Botanical Garden," 28 Aug. 2019 Getting started early in a sport has redeeming benefits down the line. — Emmett Hall, sun-sentinel.com, "Cooper City Optimist Crush is a marriage made on beach volleyball courts," 15 Aug. 2019 Sensing her date's hesitation, Wolff changed the topic, but the rest of the night couldn't be redeemed. — Terry Nguyen, chicagotribune.com, "People are posing with pets they don’t actually own in hopes of finding love on dating apps," 13 Aug. 2019 Sensing her date’s hesitation, Wolff changed the topic, but the rest of the night couldn’t be redeemed. — Terry Nguyen, Washington Post, "Dogfishing: When online daters pose with adorable pets that aren’t theirs," 12 Aug. 2019 To undercut these racist beliefs, films have had to shunt characters into a rigid binary that insists on America as the powerful redeeming force for an Asia marked by excess, authoritarianism, and a hidebound tradition. — Zoë Hu, The New Republic, "Crazy Sad Asians," 27 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'redeem.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of redeem

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for redeem

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

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for redeem

redeem

verb
How to pronounce redeem (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of redeem

: <

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!