atone

play

verb \ə-ˈtōn\

Definition of atone

atoned

;

atoning

intransitive verb
: 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
transitive verb
1 : to make reparation or supply satisfaction for : expiate —used in the passive voice with for a crime that must be atoned for
2 obsolete : reconcile

See atone defined for English-language learners

See atone defined for kids

atone was our Word of the Day on 05/19/2013. Hear the podcast!

Recent Examples of atone from the Web

He more than atoned for a mental mistake in the field.

— dennis manoloff, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Indians odoriferous at Oakland Athletics: DMan ranks Games 1-162 (thru 90)," 17 July 2017
Our protagonist ultimately goes on a mission to atone for an old transgression.

— matthew quick, Philly.com, "Matthew Quick's 'Reason You're Alive': A feel-good sociopath's story," 16 July 2017
Republic agreed to give the city a $300,000 credit to atone for violating part of its trash services contract for years.

— ben brazil, Daily Pilot, "Huntington Central Park renovations up for council consideration," 14 July 2017
The group is co-directed by inmate Roland Pitt, who competed with Wilberg in college, and decided to teach music at the prison to atone for his mistakes.

— idahostatesman, "Mormon choir director mentors inmate music group," 3 July 2017
Our protagonist ultimately goes on a mission to atone for an old transgression.

— david martindale, star-telegram.com, "‘Reason You’re Alive’ is a feel-good experience," 30 June 2017
He more than atoned for a mental mistake in the field.

— dennis manoloff, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Indians author three bottom-7 games in Week 12: DMan ranks 1-162," 26 June 2017
Burns & McDonnell steps forward The latest attempt is an effort to atone for the original sin of not convincing taxpayers that aviation bonds are a safe way to finance the airport.

— steve vockrodt and lynn horsley, kansascity.com, "‘Original sins’: Early errors erode KCI project perception, progress as deadlines loom," 25 June 2017
Burns & McDonnell steps forward The latest attempt is an effort to atone for the original sin of not convincing taxpayers that aviation bonds are a safe way to finance the airport.

— steve vockrodt and lynn horsley, kansascity, "‘Original sins’: Early errors erode KCI project perception, progress as deadlines loom," 25 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'atone.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

Atone comes to us from the combination in Middle English of at and on, the latter of which is an old variant of one. Together they meant "in harmony." (In current English, we use at one with a similar suggestion of harmony in such phrases as "at one with nature.") When it first entered English, atone meant "to reconcile and suggested the restoration of a peaceful and harmonious state between people or groups." These days the verb specifically implies addressing the damage (or disharmony) caused by one's own behavior.

Origin and Etymology of atone

Middle English, to become reconciled, from at on in harmony, from at + on one

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First Known Use: 1574

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ATONE Defined for English Language Learners

atone

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verb

Definition of atone for English Language Learners

: to do something good as a way to show that you are sorry about doing something bad

ATONE Defined for Kids

atone

play

verb \ə-ˈtōn\

Definition of atone for Students

atoned

;

atoning

: to do something to make up for a wrong … her grandmother watched over her with untiring devotion, as if trying to atone for some past mistake … — Louisa May Alcott, Little Women