noun
Uncommon
atonement
uh-TOHN-muhnt
Atonement (noun) means the act of making amends for wrongdoing. Example: “His donation to the charity was a form of atonement for the scandal.”
noun
1
The act of making amends for wrongdoing.
"His donation to the charity was a form of atonement for the scandal."
2
(religion) The reconciliation between God and humanity, especially through the death of Jesus Christ.
"The sermon focused on the atonement as the central act of Christian faith."
How to use atonement
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMaking up for something wrong — either in everyday life or, in a religious sense, the reconciling of humanity with God.
Common pairings
seek atonement
the Day of Atonement
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Word forms
- Plural
- atonements
Fill the gap
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His donation to the charity was a form of _____ for the scandal.
Etymology
From atone + -ment, originally formed from at + onement ("the state of being at one").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for atonement
cement
element
clement
movement
pavement
tenement
inclement
abatement
amusement
statement
agreement
excrement
See all rhymes for atonement →
Frequently asked questions
What does “atonement” mean?
The word “atonement” means the act of making amends for wrongdoing. In plain terms, making up for something wrong — either in everyday life or, in a religious sense, the reconciling of humanity with God.
How do you pronounce “atonement”?
“Atonement” is pronounced uh-TOHN-muhnt (/əˈtoʊnmənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “atonement” in a sentence?
Here is “atonement” used in a sentence: “His donation to the charity was a form of atonement for the scandal.”
What is another word for “atonement”?
Words with a similar meaning to “atonement” include assyth, compensation, expiation, indemnification, piation and propitiation.
What is the opposite of “atonement”?
The opposite of “atonement” — its antonyms — is nonatonement.
What part of speech is “atonement”?
“Atonement” is a noun.
Is “atonement” a common word?
“Atonement” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “atonement” have?
“Atonement” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of making amends for wrongdoing.
