a
tone
Third Person
atones
Present Participle
atoning
Past Tense
atoned
Past Participle
atoned
1
to make up for a past offense or mistake by doing something good or beneficial
- She atones for her mistakes by volunteering at the local soup kitchen.
- He atoned for his past misdeeds by making significant donations to charity.
- Tomorrow, the company will atone for its environmental damage by launching a new sustainability initiative.
- They have atoned for their actions by making restitution to those they have wronged.
- Before he passed away, the man had atoned for his sins by seeking forgiveness and actively working to repair the harm he had caused.
2
(religious) to make up for a sin by feeling sorry, asking for forgiveness, and trying to do better
- The penitent soul sought to atone for past wrongs by participating in religious rituals and seeking forgiveness from a higher power.
- The person went to confession to atone for his sins and received guidance from the priest.
- John atoned for his lie by confessing it during his church's sacrament of reconciliation.
- The religious leader openly admitted to past sins and expressed a genuine desire to atone through prayer, reflection, and acts of repentance.
- He is working to atone for his sins by making amends and showing remorse.
Synonyms: