as in to apologize
Related Words
Relevance
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 atone
Carolina will need Moehrig to atone for his San Francisco sin by smashing (legally) the Saints (3-10) on the road.
—
Mike Kaye
december 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Dec. 2025
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
Gary agreed to pay the Kinahans two hundred thousand euros to atone for various misdeeds, including a nonfatal shooting of a Kinahan associate.
—Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atone
Mike Kaye
december 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Dec. 2025
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
Gary agreed to pay the Kinahans two hundred thousand euros to atone for various misdeeds, including a nonfatal shooting of a Kinahan associate.
—Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atone
Verb
-
In his Instagram post Thursday night, Williams apologized about the poor timing of his initial announcement.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Hilton apologized and said the refusal violated its policies.—
Sarah Bahari,
Dallas Morning News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Pittman’s father contacted the FBI Saturday and told the agency his son had confessed to setting the building on fire, says the complaint.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
13 Jan. 2026
-
In June 2001, Andrea drowned all five of the Yates children before calling 911 and later confessing.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Radiation can also be used to palliate painful bone metastases, as well as chemotherapy.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
1 Oct. 2024
-
Senior-home avatars who are designed to palliate dementia patients in their darkest days.—
Longreads,
Longreads,
12 Apr. 2024
Verb
-
In the ‘Groundhog Day’-esque nightmare that never ends, the ‘urgent’ and ‘engaged’ Boston Red Sox are up a creek without a paddle, vessel, and excuse, having lost out on a top – and very sign-able – free-agent target once again.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
12 Jan. 2026
-
What is troubling is the rhetoric from some Democratic officials and commentators appearing to excuse violent conduct directed at ICE personnel.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Visitors and locals alike appreciate the Spanish Colonial Revival-style architecture, whitewashed adobe buildings, and red-tile roofs nestled at the foot of the Santa Ynez Mountains, bordering the Pacific Ocean.—
Chantelle Kincy,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
-
In 2026, designers predict that what's underfoot will get darker and more colorful, rather than the light, whitewashed look that's on its way out.—
Jennifer Prince,
Southern Living,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Yuba County District Attorney Clint Curry in early October cleared Rodarte and Trumm of potential wrongdoing, deeming their gunfire in response to Oliver as justified self-defense.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Some of Ross’s actions could be legally justified, Ramsey noted.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
One pattern rationalizes exploitation and disguises harm as the price of progress.—
Valerie L. Myers,
The Conversation,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Democrats and Republicans seek to punish misdeeds by the other side but rationalize them for their own.—
Brandon Rottinghaus,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Atone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atone. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
