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

The members must contrive to pay the new guy off, which means redeeming the deadbeat’s paper.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Cheney’s legacy would have been somewhat redeemed if he had admitted that the philosophy he espoused and the work he did for decades laid the groundwork for the destruction of democracy we are witnessing.

Read more on Salon

The redeemed friend ticket can be put toward the cost of an Epic Pass next season.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

To redeem myself from that experience, I stayed at a few more haunted locations and actually did manage to find sleep within.

Read more on Salon

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

Related Words

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