atone

verb

Definition of atonenext
as in to apologize

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of atone And that is something that needs to be redeemed and addressed and atoned for. — Lindsay Kimble, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026 Husayn’s Kufan supporters acknowledged their failure to aid the imam and pledged to publicly atone. — Mary Thurlkill, The Conversation, 30 Mar. 2026 For decades after the war, Germany’s attempts to atone for that history through a deep commitment to pacifism obliged defense companies to keep a low profile, avoiding sponsorships and splashy ad campaigns. — Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026 And Germany specifically has rather strict speech laws that strongly limit criticism of Israel, part of Germany’s attempts to atone for its central role in the Holocaust. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for atone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atone
  1. apologize
  2. confess
  3. palliate
  4. excuse
  5. whitewash
  6. justify
  7. rationalize
Verb
  • During his own censure item, Saunders apologized to his fellow city council members, city residents, county residents, and Kennell for his comments last month.
    — James Wilkins, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
  • According to Tori, Felipe reached out a couple of weeks after filming ended to apologize and ask her to lunch for closure.
    — Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of apologize
Verb
  • After his arrest, Reut initially confessed to shooting Berezovska on Zhykovych’s orders, according to Ukrainian prosecutors.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Of course, confessing to any involvement in Haleigh’s disappearance could also land Trinity in a lot more trouble.
    — Dateline NBC, NBC news, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of confess
Verb
  • Radiation can also be used to palliate painful bone metastases, as well as chemotherapy.
    — Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 1 Oct. 2024
  • Senior-home avatars who are designed to palliate dementia patients in their darkest days.
    — Longreads, Longreads, 12 Apr. 2024
Definition of palliate
Verb
  • State lawmakers passed legislation this summer to require school principals to excuse student absences related to private, off-campus religious instruction programs.
    — Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The abuse of women and girls has long been ignored, excused, protected and even turned into profit.
    — Jodi Bondi Norgaard, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of excuse
Verb
  • Polished stone-tile floors, whitewashed walls, and spacious bathrooms are common elements of all the rooms.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The one-bedroom space is minimal, deliberately quiet, and whitewashed.
    — Katharine Sohn, Architectural Digest, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of whitewash
Verb
  • The government may not decide that Church teaching is insufficiently religious, insufficiently consistent with Catholic doctrine, or insufficiently compelling to justify an ecclesiastical policy.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Organizers of Tuesday's rally said the women were released from ICE detention after a judge granted their habeas corpus petitions, meaning the government was required to justify their continued detention.
    — Drew Aunkst, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of justify
Verb
  • At a time when antisemitism is too often minimized, rationalized or repackaged in more socially acceptable language, this kind of moral clarity matters.
    — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The offense was bad Saturday, and there’s no spin or rationalizing the performance.
    — Zach Berman, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of rationalize

Browse Nearby Words

at once
atone
atoned
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Cite this Entry

“Atone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atone. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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