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
The treaty was expanded in 1967 to apply universally, in part to atone for colonialism.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 19 Nov. 2025
Eventually, the man behind the curtain, the one we’d been told not to pay attention to, is forced to atone for his mass manipulation and leave town in a state of shame.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2025
The Blue Devils drew within 53-49 with 37 seconds left before Sydney Shaw atoned for some late turnovers and made five of six foul shots in the last 43 seconds to clinch it.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 15 Nov. 2025
The Argentine forward led Inter Miami past Nashville SC and into MLS’ Eastern Conference semi-finals, atoning for their loss to Atlanta United at this stage last season.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atone
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Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 19 Nov. 2025
Eventually, the man behind the curtain, the one we’d been told not to pay attention to, is forced to atone for his mass manipulation and leave town in a state of shame.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2025
The Blue Devils drew within 53-49 with 37 seconds left before Sydney Shaw atoned for some late turnovers and made five of six foul shots in the last 43 seconds to clinch it.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 15 Nov. 2025
The Argentine forward led Inter Miami past Nashville SC and into MLS’ Eastern Conference semi-finals, atoning for their loss to Atlanta United at this stage last season.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 10 Nov. 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 20 Nov. 2025.
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