REDEEM Synonyms: 106 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

redeem

verb

ri-ˈdēm

Definition of redeem

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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

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

Example 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 To redeem, current college students must visit the Customer Service booth in the Plaza de Mexico. — Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 The microsite also serves as the entry to the Encore Market, where members can redeem points. — David Moin, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026 The only redeeming aspect of the show happens here, on a ski slope, when their youngest daughter Valentina, who was born with Down syndrome, is treated to a lesson via an adaptive ski school. — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Buying or redeeming mutual fund shares generally doesn’t change the NAV per share, because new money comes with new shares, while redemptions remove shares from the fund. — Bydoug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for redeem

Recent Examples of Synonyms for redeem

Verb

During the holidays, that could mean repositioning inventory as demand shifts, identifying supplier or transportation delays sooner, or dynamically finding the fastest and most cost-effective way to fulfill an order when conditions change.

— Jill Standish, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Rather than chasing virality and social media hits, Obeid advises restaurants to focus deeper on creating businesses that fulfill a need for the community around them.

— Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of fulfill

Verb

As impressive as many space-saving tiny houses are, not everyone is cut out for climbing into small lofts using movable ladders, or sleeping on a sofa bed every night.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
Goldman found Koreans in their sixties save more than any other age group, retaining 37% of their income.

— Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of save

Verb

Dickson himself concedes there is still much work to be done to fully rehabilitate the Gap, as well as its sister brands.

— Phil Wahba, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Naples Zoo teams worked to rehabilitate her through nutrition, medical treatment and constant monitoring.

— Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of rehabilitate

Verb

Bond is forced up against Blofeld (Telly Savalas), who has a plan to ransom the entire world, threatening the global food supply with biological agents designed to render crops and livestock infertile.

— Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Aug. 2026
What Andert argues in his video is that LINXS has effectively ransomed LAX to the tune of $880 million — so far — to complete the supposedly less than 3 percent that remains to be built on the project.

— Oren Peleg, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of ransom

Verb

By his count, Sanders fell 71 times while reclaiming his record as the oldest hiker to complete the Appalachian Trail.

— Holly Ramer, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Gina Hinojosa outlined her vision for Texans to reclaim the American Dream to over 300 people during her rally in Fort Worth on Tuesday.

— Maven Navarro Updated August 26, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of reclaim

Verb

The Sacramento City Teachers Association President Nikki Milevsky echoed Singh’s position, saying the trust’s funds do not have to be repaid.

— Chaewon Chung Updated August 27, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Russia reportedly sent drones to Iran this year, repaying Tehran’s favor after Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

— Kareem Chehayeb, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of repay

Cite this Entry

Style

“Redeem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/redeem. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of redeem

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes