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Showing results for atone for. Search instead for Atone+For.

atone for

VERB
answer for
Synonyms
WEAK
accept the responsibility for account for be responsible for explain justify pay for take the blame for
VERB
compensate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
fix improve repair
STRONG
abrogate annul balance better counteract counterbalance counterpoise countervail invalidate negate negative neutralize nullify outweigh redress
WEAK
cancel out make amends set off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
break damage destroy hurt injure
STRONG
approve permit support validate worsen
WEAK
deprive fine forfeit lose penalize
VERB
counterbalance
Synonyms
STRONGEST
counteract outweigh rectify
STRONG
amend balance cancel compensate correct counterpoise countervail equalize redeem
WEAK
make up for set off
Antonyms
STRONG
disproportion forfeit imbalance lose
VERB
expiate
Synonyms
STRONG
absolve amend appease atone compensate correct excuse forgive rectify redeem redress remedy
WEAK
do penance pay one's dues square things
Antonyms
STRONG
blame charge damage forfeit harm injure lose punish worsen
VERB
offset
Synonyms
STRONGEST
balance cancel out counteract equal negate neutralize outweigh
STRONG
account charge counterpoise counterpose countervail equalize equipoise recompense redeem requite
WEAK
allow for be equivalent make amends make up for set off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
approve disproportion
VERB
outweigh
Synonyms
STRONGEST
cancel out counterbalance eclipse exceed offset overcome overshadow prevail surpass
STRONG
balance compensate counterpoise countervail excel outbalance outrival outrun predominate preponderate
WEAK
make up for set off take precedence tip the scales
Antonyms
STRONGEST
fail fall behind lose surrender
VERB
recompense
Synonyms
STRONG
atone balance comp compensate counterbalance counterpoise countervail equalize expiate fix grease indemnify offset overcompensate pay propitiate reciprocate recoup recover redress reimburse remunerate repay requite retaliate retrieve return reward satisfy square
WEAK
ante up cough up do business give satisfaction make amends make good make up for pay for put out spring for sweeten the pot swing for take care of
Antonyms
STRONG
deprive disproportion dissatisfy lose penalize refuse seize take worsen

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.

In a sentencing memo filed before his court appearance, Fleming's lawyers said that he has gone "to extreme lengths to atone for his criminal conduct".

From BBC • May 13, 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

Universities including Columbia, Brown and Cornell agreed to pay the government hundreds of millions to atone for alleged violations similar to the ones facing UCLA.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 14, 2025

But his solo status is due to a variety of factors, starting with his desperation to atone for his past mistakes — the worst of which exploited his awful father’s conditioning to obey authority.

From Salon • Aug. 28, 2025

She shuddered at the thought of a little boy expected to atone for his mother's death.

From "Son" by Lois Lowry

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