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Definitions

make amends

VERB
apologize
Synonyms
STRONGEST
atone confess retract withdraw
STRONG
crawl purge square
WEAK
admit guilt ask forgiveness ask pardon beg pardon bow to clear oneself cop a plea cop out excuse oneself get down on knees give satisfaction make reparations make up for make up with offer compensation offer excuse say one is sorry
Antonyms
WEAK
defy
VERB
atone
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 redress make reparation make up for pay one's dues set off take one's medicine
Antonyms
STRONG
disagree spoil
VERB
compensate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
fix improve repair
STRONG
abrogate annul balance better counteract counterbalance counterpoise countervail invalidate negate negative neutralize nullify outweigh redress
WEAK
atone for cancel out set off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
break damage destroy hurt injure
STRONG
approve permit support validate worsen
WEAK
deprive fine forfeit lose penalize
VERB
make up
Synonyms
WEAK
accommodate atone balance bury the hatchet come to terms compose conciliate counterbalance counterpoise countervail forgive and forget make peace mend offset outweigh pacify recompense redeem redress requite set off settle shake hands
Antonyms
WEAK
disagree
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 atone for be equivalent make up for set off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
approve disproportion
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 atone for cough up do business give satisfaction 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
VERB
redeem
Synonyms
STRONGEST
compensate offset rehabilitate restore satisfy
STRONG
absolve acquit balance counterbalance counterpoise countervail defray discharge fulfill keep meet outweigh perform redress reinstate save
WEAK
abide by adhere to carry out hold to keep the faith make good make up for set off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
damage destroy hurt
STRONG
blame condemn convict fail hold let go miss neglect sentence
WEAK
abandon disregard forfeit ignore lose
VERB
redress
Synonyms
STRONGEST
amend correct counteract even out mend neutralize regulate remedy restore vindicate
STRONG
adjust annul balance cancel compensate countercheck ease frustrate negate negative recompense reform relieve repair revise square
WEAK
dial back make reparation make restitution make up for pay for pay one's dues put right recalibrate turn around turn over new leaf turn things around
Antonyms
STRONGEST
break destroy harm hurt injure worsen
STRONG
allow approve damage permit upset
VERB
reform
Synonyms
STRONGEST
amend improve rebuild rehabilitate remake renovate reorganize repair resolve restore revise revolutionize standardize transform
STRONG
ameliorate better convert correct cure emend mend rearrange reclaim reconstitute reconstruct redeem refashion regenerate remedy remodel renew rework uplift
WEAK
bring up to code change one's ways clean up clean up one's act go straight make over shape up swear off turn over a new leaf
Antonyms
STRONGEST
break damage destroy harm hurt injure ruin waver worsen
STRONG
abandon forfeit kill
WEAK
impair
VERB
refund
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adjust compensate pay back recoup redeem reimburse relinquish remit repay
STRONG
balance indemnify recompense redress remunerate restore reward settle
WEAK
give back honor a claim make good make repayment make up for
Antonyms
STRONGEST
deprive forfeit hold keep lose penalize take
VERB
repay
Synonyms
STRONGEST
compensate offset pay back refund reimburse restore reward
STRONG
accord award balance indemnify rebate recompense remunerate requite return square
WEAK
make restitution make up for pay dues settle up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
damage penalize
STRONG
disagree refuse take withhold
WEAK
deprive extort leave alone seize steal
VERB
requite
Synonyms
STRONG
indemnify make pay quit reciprocate recompense redeem redress reimburse remunerate repay respond retaliate return revenge reward satisfy settle
WEAK
make good pay off restitution
Antonyms
STRONG
ask deny depart dissuade fail forgive leave lose pardon penalize refuse request seize sympathize take upset
WEAK
dissatisfy
VERB
restitute
Synonyms
STRONG
adjust balance compensate indemnify recompense recoup redeem redress reimburse relinquish remit remunerate repay restore reward settle
WEAK
give back honor a claim make good make repayment make up for pay back
Antonyms
STRONG
confuse damage deprive forfeit hold keep lose penalize seize take upset 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.

This experience taught me the importance of keeping calm in tense situations, choosing restraint over reaction, and allowing space for others to reflect and make amends.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

In an advert in the Wall Street Journal headlined "To Those I've Hurt", West said he knew he had to make amends.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

Now she’s trying to make amends, including paying more than $6.6 million in restitution and forfeiture.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

He apologized at a New Hampshire synagogue, and ahead of a second presidential bid four years later, he worked to make amends with the Jewish community.

From Salon • Feb. 19, 2026

So why don’t they try to make amends by asking them what’s what?

From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank