atone

[ uh-tohn ]

/ əˈtoʊn /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR atone ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), a·toned, a·ton·ing.

to make amends or reparation, as for an offense or a crime, or for an offender (usually followed by for): to atone for one's sins.

to make up, as for errors or deficiencies (usually followed by for): to atone for one's failings.

Obsolete. to become reconciled; agree.

verb (used with object), a·toned, a·ton·ing.

to make amends for; expiate: He atoned his sins.

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

Nearby words

Origin of atone

First recorded in 1545–55; back formation from atonement

Related forms

a·ton·a·ble, a·tone·a·ble, adjectivea·ton·er, nouna·ton·ing·ly, adverbun·a·toned, adjective

un·a·ton·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for atone

You must atone, apologize, and beg forgiveness for the thousands of LGBT lives you have taken.
Do LGBTs Owe Christians an Olive Branch? Try The Other Way Around|Jay Michaelson|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Heracles goes on his twelve labours, not to better mankind, but to achieve immortality and atone for his own sins.
The Walking Dead’s Luke Skywalker: Rick Grimes Is the Perfect Modern-Day Mythical Hero|Regina Lizik|October 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We all have a collective responsibility to atone for the actions of the U.S. and Israel in the coming weeks.
Jews and Non-Jews Need to Repent for the Sins of the U.S. and Israel|Rabbi Michael Lerner|September 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
These “outsiders” are being invited to atone for their sins by leaving the new state.
India’s Newest State Telangana Is Bosnia Redux|Kranti Rai|March 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST

I wondered how many centuries of purgatory it would take to atone for such a sin.
Read ‘The King in Yellow,’ the ‘True Detective’ Reference That’s the Key to the Show|Robert W. Chambers|February 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His age should atone for a thousand faults, and above all things, I think you should not have said anything to him about his son.
The Battle of The Press|Theophila Carlile Campbell
I could only atone for the alleged offence by fetching her some refreshment, of which she readily partook.
Red Gauntlet|Sir Walter Scott
The poor boy had suffered so much that it was her duty to console him, and atone for her past neglect.
File No. 113|Emile Gaboriau
The toil and devotion of a life would be too little to atone!
Heartsease|Charlotte M. Yonge
"I hope he does repent—that he will atone," said Miss Bridgeman, gloomily.
Mount Royal, Volume 3 of 3|Mary Elizabeth Braddon

British Dictionary definitions for atone

atone

/ (əˈtəʊn) /

verb

(intr foll by for) to make amends or reparation (for a crime, sin, etc)

(tr) to expiateto atone a guilt with repentance

obsolete to be in or bring into agreement

Derived Formsatonable or atoneable, adjectiveatoner, noun

Word Origin for atone

C16: back formation from atonement

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for atone

atone

1550s, from adverbial phrase atonen (c.1300) "in accord," literally "at one," a contraction of at and one. It retains the older pronunciation of one. The phrase perhaps is modeled on Latin adunare "unite," from ad- "to, at" (see ad-) + unum "one." Related: Atoned; atoning.

atone

verb (used without object), a·toned, a·ton·ing.

verb (used with object), a·toned, a·ton·ing.

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Origin of atone

Examples from the Web for atone

atone

verb

Word Origin for atone

atone