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.
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Recent Examples of atonement
The incident, being investigated as a terrorist attack, took place on Yom Kippur, the Jewish calendar’s day of atonement and fasting.
—
Ryan Mancini, The Hill, 3 Oct. 2025
It is traditionally marked by fasting, repentance and prayer, as worshippers seek atonement and spiritual renewal.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days, leading up to Yom Kippur, the Jewish day of atonement.
—Victoria E. Freile, Freep.com, 22 Sep. 2025
That’s a part of the atonement, paying the toll and coming clean.
—Joe Lynch, Billboard, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atonement
Ryan Mancini, The Hill, 3 Oct. 2025
It is traditionally marked by fasting, repentance and prayer, as worshippers seek atonement and spiritual renewal.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days, leading up to Yom Kippur, the Jewish day of atonement.
—Victoria E. Freile, Freep.com, 22 Sep. 2025
That’s a part of the atonement, paying the toll and coming clean.
—Joe Lynch, Billboard, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atonement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atonement
Noun
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None of the victims or their descendants received any direct reparations from the city or state.—
Caleb Gayle,
The Atlantic,
28 Jan. 2026
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Program staff help with translation and annual reparations applications to the Claims Conference.—
Dana Toppel,
Oc Register,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Last month the department scrapped the SAVE Plan, which was created under former President Biden and offered lower payments and a quicker path to student loan forgiveness.—
Collin Binkley,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
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However, Ye’s call for forgiveness has garnered a seemingly lukewarm response from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Atonement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atonement. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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