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 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 Every American should have a bad conscience about Afghanistan, but my obsession with getting them to a safe place doesn’t feel like atonement. — George Packer, The Atlantic, 24 Mar. 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 Ramadan does have some elements of atonement, but the month-long celebration is more about taking time to reflect on self-improvement, worship, compassion and acts of charity. — Shelby Slade, AZCentral.com, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for atonement
Recent Examples of Synonyms for atonement
  1. reparation
  2. forgiveness
Noun
  • Alameda County supervisors voted Tuesday to create a permanent reparations committee for Black residents, moving a sweeping set of recommendations from study to the harder question of implementation.
    — Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 1 July 2026
  • This vessel has a controversial past, built by Nazi Germany in 1935 as SSS *Horst Wessel*, named after a Nazi martyr, before being taken as war reparations by the US.
    — Peter Suciu, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of reparation
Noun
  • As well as realization that everyone deserves love, empathy, and forgiveness.
    — Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
  • Mengel wrote the script for the cinematic exploration of family, love, forgiveness and mental health with his friend and creative partner Christian Bengtson.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 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 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on atonement

Nglish: Translation of atonement for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about atonement

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