Redemption vs. Redeem — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 7, 2023
Redemption is the process of being saved or improved, while to redeem is the action of saving or improving something or oneself.
Difference Between Redemption and Redeem
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Redemption refers to the state of being saved from sin, error, or evil. In a broader sense, it can also relate to the recovery of something of value, which can be seen in both a spiritual and practical context. Redemption embodies the end result or the condition achieved after a process has taken place.
To redeem, on the other hand, is the verb form that refers to the action of saving someone or something. It involves the process or steps taken towards achieving redemption. Redeem can also be used in everyday situations, such as redeeming a coupon, where it simply means to exchange something for value.
In religious contexts, redemption is a key concept implying salvation and freedom from sin, often through a divine figure. In literature, it might represent a character's journey to a better state of being. It denotes a completed process, the act of being redeemed.
Conversely, when we use the word redeem, we're often talking about the active pursuit or action of redeeming oneself or others. For example, a character in a story might seek to redeem themselves through good deeds. In financial terms, to redeem bonds is to pay them off or to exchange them for their cash value.
While redemption is often a noun denoting a finished state, redeem is the action leading to it. You redeem a prize, and in doing so, you have achieved your redemption. The former implies a state of having been rescued or made better, while the latter is the action that facilitates this improvement.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Noun
Verb
Definition
The act of being saved or freed.
To save, free, or improve something.
Usage
Describes a state or result.
Describes an action or process.
Contexts
Religious, financial, personal.
Financial, practical, everyday use.
Example
His redemption was hard-earned.
She will redeem her pledge.
Compare with Definitions
Redemption
Salvation from Sin
The story focused on the protagonist's redemption.
Redeem
Save from Sin
He sought to redeem himself through charity work.
Redemption
Resolution or Improvement
The film's climax is her ultimate redemption.
Redeem
Exchange for Value
I need to redeem these coupons before they expire.
Redemption
Fulfillment of a Pledge
The redemption of their promise was a pivotal moment.
Redeem
Buy Back Possession
He worked hard to redeem his pawned watch.
Redemption
Repayment of Debt
The company announced the redemption of its bonds.
Redeem
To recover ownership of by paying a specified sum
Redeemed the ring from the pawnbroker.
Redemption
Recovery of Worth
His redemption came with the return of his reputation.
Redeem
To pay off (a promissory note, for example).
Redemption
The act of redeeming or the condition of having been redeemed.
Redeem
To turn in (coupons, for example) and receive something in exchange.
Redemption
Recovery of something pawned or mortgaged.
Redeem
To convert into cash
Redeem stocks.
Redemption
The payment of an obligation, as a government's payment of the value of its bonds.
Redeem
To fulfill (a pledge, for example)
"That is the unfinished work of our time, to lift the burden of race and redeem the promise of America" (Bill Clinton).
Redemption
Deliverance upon payment of ransom; rescue.
Redeem
To set free, as from slavery or kidnapping, by providing money or other compensation.
Redemption
(Christianity) Salvation from sin through Jesus's sacrifice.
Redeem
To save (a person or soul) from a state of sinfulness and its consequences. ]
Redemption
The act of redeeming or something redeemed.
Redeem
(transitive) To recover ownership of something by buying it back.
Redemption
The recovery, for a fee, of a pawned article.
Redeem
(transitive) To liberate by payment of a ransom.
Redemption
Salvation from sin.
Redeem
(transitive) To set free by force.
Redemption
Rescue upon payment of a ransom.
Redeem
(transitive) To save, rescue
Redemption
(Christianity) the act of delivering from sin or saving from evil
Redeem
(transitive) To clear, release from debt or blame
Redemption
Repayment of the principal amount of a debt or security at or before maturity (as when a corporation repurchases its own stock)
Redeem
(transitive) To expiate, atone (for)
Redemption
The act of purchasing back something previously sold
Redeem
To convert (some bond or security) into cash
Redeem
(transitive) To save from a state of sin (and from its consequences).
Redeem
(transitive) To repair, restore
Redeem
(transitive) To reform, change (for the better)
Redeem
(transitive) To restore the honour, worth, or reputation of oneself or something.
Redeem
To reclaim
Redeem
To purchase back; to regain possession of by payment of a stipulated price; to repurchase.
If a man sell a dwelling house in a walled city, then he may redeem it within a whole year after it is sold.
Redeem
To recall, as an estate, or to regain, as mortgaged property, by paying what may be due by force of the mortgage.
Redeem
To ransom, liberate, or rescue from captivity or bondage, or from any obligation or liability to suffer or to be forfeited, by paying a price or ransom; to ransom; to rescue; to recover; as, to redeem a captive, a pledge, and the like.
Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
The Almighty from the graveHath me redeemed.
Redeem
Hence, to rescue and deliver from the bondage of sin and the penalties of God's violated law.
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.
Redeem
To make good by performing fully; to fulfill; as, to redeem one's promises.
I will redeem all this on Percy's head.
Redeem
To pay the penalty of; to make amends for; to serve as an equivalent or offset for; to atone for; to compensate; as, to redeem an error.
Which of ye will be mortal, to redeemMan's mortal crime?
It is a chance which does redeem all sorrows.
Redeem
Save from sins
Redeem
Exchange or buy back for money; under threat
Redeem
Pay off (loans or promissory notes)
Redeem
Convert into cash; of commercial papers
Redeem
Fulfill a Promise
She must redeem her vow to restore the family name.
Redeem
Make Amends
To redeem his mistake, he apologized publicly.
Common Curiosities
How does one redeem something?
By taking action to recover, save, or improve it.
Is redemption always religious?
No, it can be used in various contexts.
What does it mean to redeem a bond?
It means to pay off the bond's principal to the bondholder.
How do you use redeem in a sentence?
"She redeemed her gift card at the store."
Can redemption be used in financial terms?
Yes, it refers to the repayment or recovery of a financial instrument.
What's a synonym for redemption?
Salvation, recovery, or restitution.
What does redemption mean?
It's the act of being saved or improving one's situation.
What is the process to redeem something?
It involves actions that lead to recovery or improvement.
Does redemption always involve action?
No, it can also refer to a state achieved after action.
What does it mean to redeem oneself?
It means to make up for past mistakes or improve one's character.
Can a person achieve redemption?
Yes, often through personal improvement or restitution.
Can companies redeem their stocks?
Yes, similar to bonds, stocks can be bought back by the issuing company.
Is redeem always positive?
Typically, yes, as it implies improvement or recovery.
Can redemption be self-achieved?
Yes, through self-improvement or making amends.
Are redemption and redeem interchangeable?
Not exactly; one is a noun (redemption), and the other is a verb (redeem).
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
