redemption
The action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil; the action of regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment.
Redemption implies a process of recovery, where one's past mistakes are paid for or corrected through positive action, leading to a restoration of status or soul.
Word relationships
- salvation: Salvation is the state of being saved from harm or ruin, while redemption emphasizes the active process of buying back or earning that salvation.
- atonement: Atonement is the specific act of making amends for a wrong, whereas redemption is the broader state of being restored and saved.
- damnation: Damnation is the state of being condemned to eternal punishment or ruin, the opposite of redemption.
- perdition: Perdition is a state of eternal punishment and spiritual ruin.
Commonly confused with
- redemptive: Redemptive is the adjective form, describing something that brings about redemption.
Word family
- redeem (verb): To compensate for the faults or bad aspects of something; to buy back.
- redeemer (noun): A person who redeems or saves.
- redemptive (adjective): Acting to save or free from error or evil.
Collocations
- seek redemption
- road to redemption
- beyond redemption
- redemption value
Example sentences
- "The protagonist spent the rest of his life seeking redemption for his past betrayals." A literary analysis of a character's journey.
- "The investor requested the immediate redemption of her savings bonds." A financial transaction.
Memory hook
Think of 're-demanding' or buying back your freedom with a coupon. You are redeeming your past mistakes to get a fresh start. Buying back your freedom or soul.
When not to use
Do not use when referring to simple, unearned forgiveness; redemption requires some form of active compensation, sacrifice, or transformation.
Fun facts
- In finance, 'redemption' refers to the return of an investor's principal in a fixed-income security, such as a mutual fund or bond, when it reaches maturity.
Related words
Explore more words
expiation, atonement, restoration, atone, remediation, redress
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