atone

[uh-tohn]

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.

Origin of atone

First recorded in 1545–55; back formation from atonement

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

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

Related Words for atone

redeem, apologize, outweigh, repair, square, appease, reconcile, pay, absolve, propitiate, redress, expiate, counterbalance, offset, answer, balance, correct, recompense

Examples from the Web for atone

Contemporary Examples of 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
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
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
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
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

Historical Examples of atone

It is a delight to atone for a fault by obeying your commands.
In the Midst of Alarms
Robert Barr
Torquemada could not have done better; but Khalid, it is hoped, will yet atone for his crimes.
The Book of Khalid
Ameen Rihani
If he had erred, let him at least atone for his error with his blood!
The Downfall
Emile Zola
It was a penance she had imposed upon herself to atone for her guilt.
Tales From Two Hemispheres
Hjalmar Hjorth Boysen
ANN remains, as if carved in atone, her eyes fastened on the strangers.
The Pigeon (Third Series Plays)
John Galsworthy

British Dictionary definitions for atone

atone

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

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.