redeem

[ ri-deem ]

verb (used with object)

1. to make up for; make amends for; offset (some fault, shortcoming, etc.):

   His bravery redeemed his youthful idleness.

   Synonyms: compensate, counterbalance

2. to exchange (bonds, trading stamps, coupons, points, etc.) for money or goods:

   I redeemed 25,000 points for a free night’s stay at the hotel.

   This coupon can be redeemed at any grocery store.

3. to buy or pay off; clear by payment:

   to redeem a mortgage.

   Synonyms: square, discharge

   Antonyms: forsake, imprison

4. to buy back, as after a tax sale or a mortgage foreclosure.

   Synonyms: repurchase, regain, reclaim

5. to recover (something pledged or mortgaged) by payment or other satisfaction:

   to redeem a pawned watch.

   Synonyms: repurchase, regain, reclaim

6. to obtain the release or restoration of, such as from captivity, by paying a ransom.

   Synonyms: ransom, rescue, liberate, free

7. Christianity. to deliver from sin and its consequences by means of a sacrifice offered for the sinner.
8. to convert (paper money) into coins.
9. to discharge or fulfill (a pledge, promise, etc.).

redeem

/ rɪˈdiːm /

verb

1. to recover possession or ownership of by payment of a price or service; regain
2. to convert (bonds, shares, etc) into cash
3. to pay off (a promissory note, loan, etc)
4. to recover (something pledged, mortgaged, or pawned)
5. to convert (paper money) into bullion or specie
6. to fulfil (a promise, pledge, etc)
7. to exchange (trading stamps, coupons, etc) for goods
8. to reinstate in someone's estimation or good opinion; restore to favour

   he redeemed himself by his altruistic action

9. to make amends for
10. to recover from captivity, esp by a money payment
11. Christianity (of Christ as Saviour) to free (mankind) from sin by his death on the Cross

Derived Forms

• reˈdeemer, noun

Other Words From

• pre·re·deem verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of redeem¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English redemen, from Middle French redimer, from Latin redimere, equivalent to red- red- + -imere, combining form of emere “to purchase” ( emptor, ransom )

Word History and Origins

Origin of redeem¹

C15: from Old French redimer , from Latin redimere to buy back, from red- re- + emere to buy

Synonym Study

Redeem, ransom both mean to buy back. Redeem is wider in its application than ransom, and means to buy back, regain possession of, or exchange for money, goods, etc.: to redeem one's property. To ransom is to redeem a person from captivity by paying a stipulated price, or to redeem from sin by sacrifice: to ransom a kidnapped child.

Example Sentences

Jake Moody missed three field goals but managed to redeem himself by booting the game winner from 44 yards as time expired.

From BBC

This is where the elite go to abandon and redeem themselves, where the almost elite go to feel like what they may never be and claim a lifestyle just beyond their reach, for now.

From Los Angeles Times

We still have a finale and a reunion to go, so Ramses has a chance to redeem himself — or at least provide some context for his cringe-inducing conversations with Marissa.

From Los Angeles Times

Their own quarterback, Ethan Garbers, lost a fumble on the first play from scrimmage and didn’t do much to redeem himself.

From Los Angeles Times

But Trump on Thursday continued to insist he won, twisting Harris’s enthusiasm for another debate into desperation to redeem herself.

From Salon

Related Words

• pay off
• reclaim
• recoup
• regain
• repay
• restore
• win back