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Definitions

atone

[uh-tohn] / əˈtoʊn /
VERB
compensate; make amends for former misdoing
Synonyms
STRONGEST
apologize redeem
STRONG
absolve answer appease balance correct counterbalance expiate offset outweigh pay propitiate recompense reconcile redress repair square
WEAK
do penance make amends make redress make reparation make up for pay one's dues set off take one's medicine
Antonyms
STRONG
disagree spoil

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Having suppressed its military for years in an attempt to atone for the horrors it perpetrated, can Germany fulfil its newfound ambition to become Europe's preeminent military power?

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

German politicians have been largely supportive of Israel as Germany seeks to atone for the legacy of the Holocaust.

From Barron's • Feb. 18, 2026

To atone, Ana-Maria says, they must eat sour grapes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025

Newsom and state lawmakers passed a law to create a “first in the nation” task force to study and propose effective ways to help atone for the legacy of slavery.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 13, 2025

I felt that I had done something unclean, something for which I could never properly atone.

From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.