Meaning & use
redeem
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Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitive
To make up for a fault, mistake, or bad situation.
Grammar: Often reflexive: redeem yourself. It means to restore worth after failure.
Patterns
- redeem yourself
- redeem a mistake
- redeem one's reputation
He apologized and tried to redeem himself by working harder.
The final chapter redeems an otherwise slow novel.
Only a sincere apology can redeem the damage done.
verbtransitive
To exchange a coupon, voucher, points, or code for goods, money, or a discount.
Grammar: Takes an object such as “coupon,” “points,” or “gift card.”
Patterns
- redeem a coupon
- redeem points
- redeem a voucher
- redeem an offer
You can redeem the coupon at any checkout.
She redeemed her points for a free flight.
The code must be redeemed before midnight.
verbtransitivereligionformal
To save someone from sin or moral failure, especially in religious language.
Grammar: Formal or religious; often the object is a person or humankind.
Patterns
- redeem sinners
- redeem the world
- redeem someone from sin
The sermon spoke of love that redeems sinners.
In the story, sacrifice redeems the fallen hero.
Many traditions teach that mercy redeems human failure.
verbtransitive
To get back something pawned by paying what is owed.
Grammar: Takes an object such as “watch,” “ring,” or “pledged item.”
Patterns
- redeem a watch
- redeem pledged goods
- redeem an item
He returned to the pawnshop to redeem his guitar.
If you do not redeem the ring, the shop may sell it.
She redeemed the camera before the deadline.
verbtransitivefinancebusiness
In finance, to pay off a loan, bond, or other security according to its terms.
Grammar: Common in business news; the object is often “bonds,” “shares,” or “debt.”
Patterns
- redeem a bond
- redeem debt
- redeem shares
The company will redeem the bonds early next year.
Investors asked the fund to redeem their shares.
The debt was redeemed before the interest rate rose.
Word forms
| third person singular | redeems |
|---|---|
| past tense | redeemed |
| past participle | redeemed |
| -ing form | redeeming |
Common combinations
- redeem yourself
- She redeemed herself by admitting the error and fixing it.
- redeem a coupon
- You cannot redeem an expired coupon.
- redeem points
- Members redeem points for travel rewards.
- redeeming feature
- Its low price is the product’s only redeeming feature.
Synonyms and how they differ
- atone
- Atonement is making up morally for wrongdoing; redeem is broader and can mean exchange or save.
- compensate
- Compensate makes up for loss or harm; redeem often restores honor or worth.
- exchange
- Exchange fits vouchers and points, but not the sense of making up for a fault.
- rescue
- Rescue saves from danger; redeem in religion saves from sin or failure.
Word family
- redemption noun
- The act of redeeming or being redeemed.
- redeemable adjective
- Able to be exchanged, recovered, or made acceptable.
- redeeming adjective
- Providing a good quality that balances faults.
- Redeemer proper noun
- A religious title for a savior, especially in Christianity.
Practice
Complete the sentence: “After the argument, he tried to redeem ___ by helping clean up.”
Choose one answer.
The reflexive pronoun “himself” matches the subject “he” and the fixed pattern “redeem yourself.” “Him” is object form but not reflexive; the other pronouns do not agree.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “redeem”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.