atoned; atoning
: to make amends : to provide or serve as reparation or compensation for something bad or unwelcome
—usually + for
He wanted to atone for his sins.
But I think that he has within him a capacity for love, and an unselfishness, which almost atones for his dishonesty.—
Anthony Trollope
Anthony Trollope
Did you know?
Atone has its roots in the idea of reconciliation and harmony. It grew out of the Middle English phrase at on meaning “in harmony,” a phrase echoed in current expressions like “feeling at one with nature.” When atone joined modern English in the 16th century, it meant “to reconcile,” and suggested the restoration of a peaceful and harmonious state between people or groups. Today, atone specifically implies addressing the damage—or disharmony—caused by one’s own behavior.
Examples of atone in a Sentence
tried to atone for forgetting their anniversary by giving his wife a truly extravagant gift
Recent Examples on the Web
However, the Mariners (45-42) kept giving them chances to atone for their mistakes.
—Kansas City Star, 4 July 2025
Gemma has been preoccupied with her efforts to publicly atone for creating a murderous AI doll, and so Cady has had to get crafty in order to explore her budding interest in coding.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2025
His two-run double with the bases loaded in the eighth inning atoned for all the star players who struck out with the bases loaded.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
Although Willis tried to atone for his lapse in concentration, Messi simply dribbled the ball around him and fired in an easy winner.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 13 July 2025
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Kansas City Star, 4 July 2025
Gemma has been preoccupied with her efforts to publicly atone for creating a murderous AI doll, and so Cady has had to get crafty in order to explore her budding interest in coding.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2025
His two-run double with the bases loaded in the eighth inning atoned for all the star players who struck out with the bases loaded.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
Although Willis tried to atone for his lapse in concentration, Messi simply dribbled the ball around him and fired in an easy winner.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for atone
Cite this Entry
“Atone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atone. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
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