redeeming

American  

[ri-dee-ming] / rɪˈdi mɪŋ /

adjective

1. offsetting or counterbalancing some fault, defect, or the like.

   a redeeming quality.

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redeeming British  

/ rɪˈdiːmɪŋ /

adjective

1. serving to compensate for faults or deficiencies in quality, etc

   one redeeming feature

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Other Word Forms

• unredeeming adjective

Etymology

Origin of redeeming

First recorded in 1745–55; redeem + -ing ²

Explanation

A redeeming characteristic is one that counteracts or corrects something negative. If you can only think of one good thing about your next door neighbor, for example, that one thing is her redeeming quality. Your grandpa may be a difficult person who constantly criticizes you and complains about life. If, however, he makes the best chocolate chip cookies you've ever tasted, you can say that cookie baking is his redeeming quality. And if your dog is truly odd-looking, not cute at all except for her long ears, those ears are her one redeeming physical trait — they're the positive thing that balances out all the negatives.

Example Sentences

The character doesn’t need any redeeming qualities for this particular film to remain entertaining.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

In November, the company tried to merge one of its private funds with a publicly-traded one, because so many private investors were redeeming their shares.

From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026

But it doesn’t take much to detect the pride he has in his son, whose work may not reliably pay the bills but has brought public recognition and a sense of redeeming purpose.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 28, 2026

With few restrictions for redeeming the rewards, die-hard shoppers have turned stacking the coupons into a sport.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 15, 2025

Not all mythical beasts are friendly, of course, but even the hostile ones have certain amiable redeeming aspects.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas