as in reparation
an act taken in order to redeem oneself
He resolved to make atonement to those he had wronged by doing good deeds for them.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of atonement
One long-running attempt met a setback on Feb. 21, 2025, when the U.S. Supreme Court threw out an appeals court ruling in favor of survivors seeking atonement from Hungary’s state railways.
—
Sarah Federman, The Conversation, 16 Apr. 2025
Her attendance is part of her atonement to Gary, who wants to meet the tourists his girlfriend hooked up with.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2025
In the interview, the designer spoke frankly about his demons, and his recovery and atonement.
—Miles Socha, WWD, 11 Dec. 2024
Tomlin also is seeking some playoff atonement, having gone winless since 2017.
—Andrew Greif, NBC News, 10 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for atonement
Sarah Federman, The Conversation, 16 Apr. 2025
Her attendance is part of her atonement to Gary, who wants to meet the tourists his girlfriend hooked up with.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2025
In the interview, the designer spoke frankly about his demons, and his recovery and atonement.
—Miles Socha, WWD, 11 Dec. 2024
Tomlin also is seeking some playoff atonement, having gone winless since 2017.
—Andrew Greif, NBC News, 10 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for atonement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atonement
Noun
-
The second and third generations continue to press for material reparations and denuclearization.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
16 June 2025
-
Should reparations be paid to the descendants of enslaved people?—
Marybeth Gasman,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
Noun
-
Restrict the Department of Education’s authority to enact new regulations expanding pathways to student loan forgiveness and other debt relief.—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2025
-
All removed their shoes before the saying of prayers and message of forgiveness and thankfulness led by Iman Mongy El-Quesny of the Northwest Indiana Islamic Center.—
Deborah Laverty,
Chicago Tribune,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Atonement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atonement. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share