redeem

[ ri-deem ]

verb (used with object)

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

   to redeem a mortgage.

   Synonyms: square, discharge

   Antonyms: forsake, imprison

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

   Synonyms: repurchase, regain, reclaim

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

   to redeem a pawned watch.

   Synonyms: repurchase, regain, reclaim

4. to exchange (bonds, trading stamps, etc.) for money or goods.
5. to convert (paper money) into specie.
6. to discharge or fulfill (a pledge, promise, etc.).
7. to make up for; make amends for; offset (some fault, shortcoming, etc.):

   His bravery redeemed his youthful idleness.

   Synonyms: compensate, counterbalance

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

   Synonyms: ransom, rescue, liberate, free

9. Theology. to deliver from sin and its consequences by means of a sacrifice offered for the sinner.

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

If the company grows without raising additional equity funding, founders redeem most of the equity right, based on a pre-agreed return amount.

From TechCrunch

It was an opportunity, eight months after the United States confirmed its first coronavirus case, to redeem the nation’s devastating failures in organizing a regimen of testing, contact tracing and equipping medical workers with protective gear.

From Washington Post

Tucker redeemed himself by connecting from 51 yards with just more than four minutes left.

From Washington Post

Even when customers use them, there’s often either a small balance left on gift cards that’s never redeemed, or they spend additional cash beyond the card balance to get the product they want.

From Fortune

Tap Network aims to solve this problem by allowing customers to spend those points through a broader network of rewards, which can usually be redeemed at a lower point level.

From TechCrunch

Sports drinks and coconut water, which is lower in sugar, can also redeem electrolytes lost while drinking, says White.

From The Daily Beast

Sens. Rand Paul (R-KY) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) may have drawn wide attention and praise for their REDEEM Act.

From The Daily Beast

In all of this lies the chance, also, for FIFA to redeem itself.

From The Daily Beast

Now, thanks to a military man he fired, retired Gen. Stanley McChrystal, he has a chance to redeem himself.

From The Daily Beast

And that means it has to potential to redeem Christie—or make his already-hellish 2014 much, much worse.

From The Daily Beast

He had to do something, for although all his land had been foreclosed on, he had two years to redeem the same.

From Project Gutenberg

And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the mighty.

From Project Gutenberg

Any person who is interested in a mortgaged estate has the right to redeem it; heirs, devisees, creditors.

From Project Gutenberg

But she seems able to take care of herself, and with that face and form, I guess she can redeem her fortunes any way she chooses.

From Project Gutenberg

The French war indemnity enabled him to redeem a considerable portion of the state debt and to remit certain taxes.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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