atoning

present participle of atone

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for atoning
Verb
  • The victim’s grandson, 17-year-old Jadynn Hamilton, was arrested and charged in connection with her death that evening after allegedly confessing to the crime, per the outlets.
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Nickerson was immediately terminated after confessing to the behavior, McKinzie wrote in an email to the congregation at the time.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Later the same day, during a pageant welcome event, Itsaragrisil addressed a crowd of onlookers, apologizing to the Miss Universe delegates who could be seen standing behind him.
    Staff Author, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Miss Universe pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil has been dismissed after apologizing to Miss Mexico 2025 Fátima Bosch over their tense exchange that went viral, resulting in a walkout by multiple pageant contestants.
    Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Some Republicans and Democrats criticized Vance’s response for excusing or downplaying the nature of the chat messages.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Celebrating or excusing violence is abhorrent.
    ABC News, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • As America attempts to reclaim its pride by whitewashing its unflattering histories, Springsteen’s struggle to balance light and dark on these pointedly American recordings is tremendously poignant.
    Will Hermes, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2025
  • Film workers for Palestine target those complicit, film companies and institutions, that are whitewashing or justifying Israel’s genocide in Gaza and its apartheid regime.
    Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Jacobson Moore is trying to get Daniel’s sentence reduced, citing extenuating circumstances.
    Noel Murray, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
  • As reported by The Athletic last week, Aston Martin still had to enter an Accepted Breach Agreement (ABA) with the FIA to recognize its late submission which resulted from extenuating circumstances beyond the team’s control.
    Luke Smith, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Judge Ellis found that Bovino wasn’t hit in the head with a rock prior to deploying tear gas despite claims from the Department of Homeland Security justifying the use of force.
    Bill Kirkos, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
  • While working on the project, costs ballooned unexpectedly—reaching well over six figures—and this doctrine became an important reminder when justifying the expenses.
    Michelle Duncan, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2025
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Atoning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atoning. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.

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