verb
atone
uh-TOHN/əˈtoʊn/
To make amends for wrongdoing.
The person offers the repaired vase to atone for breaking it.
Etymology
'At one' meant 'in accord': to atone originally meant to be in harmony. The sense shifted to making up for a wrong or making reparations.
In context
he retreated to the desert to atone for his sins
Which makes it a good day to atone for your sins. If you've ever done something that warrants an apology,
More examples
- An apology alone could not atone for the damage.
- She spent years atoning for the betrayal.
- They hoped the donation would atone for their neglect.
Forms
atone · atones · atoned · atoning
atonement noun — The act of making amends for wrongdoing.
Similar words
- make amends
- Emphasizes action to repair harm caused by wrongdoing.
- compensate
- Can repay a loss without acknowledging moral fault.