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

Other Word Forms

• preredeem verb (used with object)
• redeemer noun

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

That is because when large institutions redeem ETF shares, ETFs aren’t forced to sell investments to raise cash like mutual funds.

Read more on Barron's

They offered not one redeeming feature as they slumped again, the visiting fans suffering as they made their way home from a freezing west London night.

Read more on BBC

Smith partly redeemed himself to the Wembley crowd by disallowing a second Australia try before the break as Dom Young was taken out by Josh Addo-Carr as he jumped to catch a high kick.

Read more on BBC

I bonds can be redeemed after 12 months, but investors lose three months of interest if the bonds are cashed in before five years.

Read more on Barron's

The country’s natural opposition party has 12 months before the midterms to make this break and start redeeming itself in the eyes of noncoastal America.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• pay off 
• reclaim 
• recoup 
• regain 
• repay 
• restore 
• win back www.thesaurus.com