atonement

noun

Definition of atonementnext
as in reparation
an act taken in order to redeem oneself He resolved to make atonement to those he had wronged by doing good deeds for them.

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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 atonement But his atonement comes too late. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 1 June 2026 The good news for Randle is there is a chance for atonement. — Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 9 May 2026 However, his big mistake ended up leading to a massive atonement on Thursday night with the selection of Downs. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2026 As part of this act of atonement, four bulls and four heifers are slaughtered at the sanctuaries of the nymphs, and their bodies are left in a grove. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for atonement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atonement
  1. reparation
  2. forgiveness
Noun
  • Germany in particular borrowed extensively to finance both domestic growth and its reparations payments.
    — MICHAEL PETTIS, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
  • In fact, the whole thing could be viewed as colonial reparations.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of reparation
Noun
  • Instead of anger, she’s leaned heavily on her faith to choose forgiveness.
    — Jacob Sisneros, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Along with this came the profound dread that straight white men (like me) felt about saying a single wrong sentence and facing the possibility of permanent exile without forgiveness.
    — Charles Finch, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of forgiveness

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atone (for)
atonement
atonements
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Cite this Entry

“Atonement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atonement. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on atonement

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about atonement

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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