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Redemption: meaning, definitions and examples

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redemption

 

[rɪˈdɛm(p)ʃ(ə)n ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in religion

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 or clearing a debt.

Synonyms

absolution, atonement, deliverance, salvation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
redemption

Often used in religious or spiritual contexts to describe the act of being saved from sin or evil. It can also mean the act of redeeming or making up for a mistake.

  • His journey to redemption was filled with challenges
  • The movie's theme was about the redemption of its flawed characters
salvation

Mainly used in religious contexts to refer to the saving of a soul from sin and its consequences. Can also mean being saved from harm or a dire situation.

  • She found salvation in her faith
  • They saw their new home as a kind of salvation from their past troubles
deliverance

Used to describe the act of being rescued or set free from dangerous or difficult situations. Commonly employed in religious contexts to describe being saved from sin or evil.

  • They prayed for deliverance from their oppressive rulers
  • The hero's deliverance brought hope to the people
absolution

Primarily used in religious contexts, particularly within Christianity, to describe the formal release from guilt, obligation, or punishment. It is often associated with the sacrament of confession.

  • The priest gave him absolution for his sins
  • She sought absolution through prayer and penance
atonement

Often used in religious contexts to describe making amends for wrongdoing, especially in the context of sin. Can also be used in a broader sense to describe the act of making up for mistakes or wrongs.

  • The holy day is set aside for fasting and atonement
  • He felt that nothing could truly be an atonement for his actions

Examples of usage

  • Through his acts of kindness and selflessness, he hoped to find redemption for his past mistakes.
  • She sought redemption through prayer and repentance.
  • His redemption of the stolen goods was seen as a sign of his remorse.
  • Redemption can only be achieved through true contrition and atonement.
  • In some belief systems, redemption is believed to come from a higher power.
Context #2 | Noun

in secular context

The action of regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment or clearing a debt; the action of saving or being saved from error or evil.

Synonyms

reclamation, recovery, repayment, retrieval.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
redemption

Most often used in a moral or religious context, referring to being saved from sin, error, or evil. It can also mean the action of regaining possession of something in exchange for payment or clearing a debt.

  • He sought redemption for his past mistakes
  • The company completed the redemption of its bonds
recovery

Refers to the process of returning to a normal state after a period of difficulty, often used in contexts of health, economics, or sports.

  • Her recovery after the surgery was swift
  • The economy is showing signs of recovery
retrieval

Used when discussing the act of getting something back, often something that was lost or stored. This word is often used in technical, informational, or personal contexts.

  • The retrieval of the data took longer than expected
  • They executed the retrieval of the lost documents successfully
reclamation

Used when talking about making land or waste material usable again, or the act of taking something back. Often used in environmental or industrial contexts.

  • The reclamation of the old industrial site was a massive project
  • She worked on the reclamation of her reputation
repayment

Describes the act of paying back money that was borrowed. It is mostly used in financial or lending contexts.

  • He was struggling with the repayment of his student loans
  • The terms of the loan included a strict repayment schedule

Examples of usage

  • She hoped that her redemption of the mortgage would secure her ownership of the house.
  • Financial redemption was achieved through years of hard work and saving.
  • Redemption of the voucher allowed for a discount on future purchases.
  • The company offered redemption for faulty products as part of their customer service policy.
  • His redemption of the borrowed money restored his reputation in the community.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'redemptio', meaning 'to buy back or recover'.
  • It combines 'redimere' (to buy back) and 'emptio' (purchase), showing a financial background to the term.

Religion

  • In many religions, redemption is considered a key concept for salvation or forgiveness.
  • Christian beliefs often speak of spiritual redemption through faith, representing forgiveness from sins and a return to divine grace.

Literature

  • Redemption arcs are common in storytelling, where characters grow and change, often after a mistake or downfall.
  • Famous works like 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles Dickens explore themes of personal redemption and transformation.

Psychology

  • Psychologically, the process of redemption can involve acknowledging past mistakes and taking steps to change behavior and rebuild trust.
  • This process can lead to personal growth and improved relationships.

Pop Culture

  • Movies like 'The Shawshank Redemption' highlight the theme of finding freedom and peace after hardship.
  • Video games often include redemption storylines where characters seek to make amends for past actions.

Translations

Translations of the word "redemption" in other languages:

🇵🇹 redenção

🇮🇳 मोचन

🇩🇪 Erlösung

🇮🇩 penebusan

🇺🇦 спокута

🇵🇱 odkupienie

🇯🇵 贖い（あがない）

🇫🇷 rédemption

🇪🇸 redención

🇹🇷 kefaret

🇰🇷 구원 (guwon)

🇸🇦 فداء

🇨🇿 vykoupení

🇸🇰 vykúpenie

🇨🇳 救赎 (jiùshú)

🇸🇮 odrešitev

🇮🇸 lausn

🇰🇿 құтқару

🇬🇪 გამოსყიდვა

🇦🇿 xilas

🇲🇽 redención

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,516 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.