Meaning & use

redeem

verb·Advanced

To make up for a fault or a bad situation.

See it in a sentence

His late-game goal redeemed an otherwise disappointing performance.

Years of quiet dedication redeemed his early reputation as a careless worker.

A note on using this word

In religious contexts, redeem means to save someone from sin, a meaning that underlies its broader sense of making something good again.

Words with a similar meaning

compensate foroffset

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. verb

To exchange a voucher, points, or coupon for goods, cash, or a discount.

She redeemed her frequent-flyer miles for a free upgrade.

Make it your own

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