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
Witherspoon was due for atonement.
—
Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
The organization added that a true sign of atonement from Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, would be to refrain from antisemitism in the future, concluding their statement by wishing him well on his mental health journey.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, is considered the holiest day of the Jewish year and is one of two High Holy Days, along with Rosh Hashanah, according to the University of Southern California and Henry Ford College.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 14 Dec. 2025
Why no mumblings of atonement for the predatory nature of capitalism itself, its core values and standard operating procedures no different from those of the beasts in the field?
—Henry Freedland, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atonement
Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026
The organization added that a true sign of atonement from Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, would be to refrain from antisemitism in the future, concluding their statement by wishing him well on his mental health journey.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, is considered the holiest day of the Jewish year and is one of two High Holy Days, along with Rosh Hashanah, according to the University of Southern California and Henry Ford College.
—Melina Khan, USA Today, 14 Dec. 2025
Why no mumblings of atonement for the predatory nature of capitalism itself, its core values and standard operating procedures no different from those of the beasts in the field?
—Henry Freedland, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for atonement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atonement
Noun
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Venezuela is demanding information and reparations under international environmental law from its Caribbean neighbor, one of the region’s largest oil and gas producers.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
-
The victims are asking the court to order comprehensive reparations, medical and psychological treatment, guarantees against future abuses and the permanent closure of El Helicoide.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
11 May 2026
Noun
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The bright boy who came into their rooms with his toy soldiers to start world-making would not return, and no reconciliation or words of forgiveness would ever reach him.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 May 2026
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But in the eyes of God, who is our ultimate judge, God is a God of forgiveness.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Atonement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atonement. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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