atone

[uh-tohn]

verb (used without object)

atoned, atoning 

1. to make amends or reparation, as for an offense or a crime, or for an offender (usually followed byfor ).

   to atone for one's sins.

2. to make up, as for errors or deficiencies (usually followed byfor ).

   to atone for one's failings.

3. Obsolete.,  to become reconciled; agree.

verb (used with object)

atoned, atoning 

1. to make amends for; expiate.

   He atoned his sins.

2. Obsolete.,  to bring into unity, harmony, concord, etc.

atone

/ əˈtəʊn /

verb

1. to make amends or reparation (for a crime, sin, etc)

2. (tr) to expiate

   to atone a guilt with repentance

3. obsolete,  to be in or bring into agreement

Other Word Forms

• atoner noun
• atonable adjective
• atoneable adjective
• atoningly adverb
• unatoned adjective
• unatoning adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of atone¹

First recorded in 1545–55; back formation from atonement

Word History and Origins

Origin of atone¹

C16: back formation from _atonement

Example Sentences

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

Dozens of public campuses across the U.S. are under investigation or pressure from the White House to atone for alleged wrongdoing to Jewish students or to change admissions, scholarship programs and protest rules and more.

From Los Angeles Times

Britain, he added, was atoning at last for the wrongs it had done Palestinians when it was the imperial power here between 1917 and 1948.

From BBC

However, the world number 14 atoned for that bogey by knocking in a 20-foot putt from the edge of the 17th green for a birdie.

From BBC

Having spent the last seven years in a state of self-absorption — or, as his ex-girlfriend Lucy later puts it: “You’ve just been up there pouting?” — his new quest is simply to atone.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• apologize 
• redeem