redeem
Americanverb (used with object)
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to make up for; make amends for; offset (some fault, shortcoming, etc.).
His bravery redeemed his youthful idleness.
- Synonyms:
- compensate, counterbalance
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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.
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to buy or pay off; clear by payment.
to redeem a mortgage.
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to buy back, as after a tax sale or a mortgage foreclosure.
- Synonyms:
- repurchase, regain, reclaim
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to recover (something pledged or mortgaged) by payment or other satisfaction.
to redeem a pawned watch.
- Synonyms:
- repurchase, regain, reclaim
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to obtain the release or restoration of, such as from captivity, by paying a ransom.
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Christianity. to deliver from sin and its consequences by means of a sacrifice offered for the sinner.
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to convert (paper money) into coins.
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to discharge or fulfill (a pledge, promise, etc.).
verb
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to recover possession or ownership of by payment of a price or service; regain
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to convert (bonds, shares, etc) into cash
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to pay off (a promissory note, loan, etc)
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to recover (something pledged, mortgaged, or pawned)
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to convert (paper money) into bullion or specie
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to fulfil (a promise, pledge, etc)
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to exchange (trading stamps, coupons, etc) for goods
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to reinstate in someone's estimation or good opinion; restore to favour
he redeemed himself by his altruistic action
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to make amends for
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to recover from captivity, esp by a money payment
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Christianity (of Christ as Saviour) to free (mankind) from sin by his death on the Cross
Related Words
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.
Other Word Forms
- preredeem verb (used with object)
- redeemer noun
Etymology
Origin of redeem
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 )
Explanation
If you redeem yourself, you make up for wrongs by doing something that makes you seem good again, like when after being irritable and snappy with your grandmother, you redeem yourself by bringing her flowers and apologizing. Redeem comes from the French rédimer, which means "to deliver," and which in turn comes from the Latin for "buy back." In Christianity you can be redeemed by renouncing your sins. Classic heroes fail and then redeem themselves with valiant acts. But redeem doesn't have to be religious or moral. When you turn in a glass bottle for recycling, you redeem it, just as you redeem your coupon for 20% off your next hamburger.
Vocabulary lists containing redeem
List 1
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Hamilton
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"Ad Power," "Without Commercials," and "What's Wrong with Advertising"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Three, now that he’s disgraced himself and severely harmed people around the country, he’s got a chance to redeem himself.
From Slate • Apr. 10, 2026
Ortiz’s show premiering at the Joy Who Lived Festival revels in the unhinged and urges people to judge each other for past messes with the opportunity to redeem oneself through comedy.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026
A regulatory filing showed one of the company’s private credit funds capped withdrawals at its stated 5% limit after receiving requests to redeem 11.2% of shares outstanding.
From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026
Jessica Riskin, a historian of science at Stanford University, thinks the record needs to be corrected, and she wants to redeem the reputation of Lamarck.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026
He sent Iris to Priam, to order him to go without fear to Achilles to redeem Hector’s body, bearing a rich ransom.
From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
