Definitions

make amends

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apologize v.
atone v.
compensate v.
make up v.
offset v.
recompense v.
redeem v.
redress v.
reform v.
refund v.
repay v.
requite v.
restitute v.

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.

See Examples For:

make amends

But one aspect of a fair justice system is for wrongdoers to face proportionate consequences—not to be shunned forever, but to be expected to own up, make amends, and, sometimes, pay a penalty.

From Slate ● Jul. 7, 2026

Supporters of the Church's promise to make amends say it has a responsibility to address the legacy of slavery.

From BBC ● Jun. 18, 2026

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

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

To make amends, he patted the donkey's coarse-haired, fuzzy head.

From "The Golden Goblet" by Eloise Jarvis McGraw

make amends

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Related Words