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atone for

VERB

answer for

Synonyms

WEAK

accept the responsibility for account for be responsible for explain justify pay for take the blame for

VERB

compensate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

fix improve repair

STRONG

abrogate annul balance better counteract counterbalance counterpoise countervail invalidate negate negative neutralize nullify outweigh redress

WEAK

cancel out make amends set off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

break damage destroy hurt injure

STRONG

approve permit support validate worsen

WEAK

deprive fine forfeit lose penalize

VERB

counterbalance

Synonyms

STRONGEST

counteract outweigh rectify

STRONG

amend balance cancel compensate correct counterpoise countervail equalize redeem

WEAK

make up for set off

Antonyms

STRONG

disproportion forfeit imbalance lose

VERB

expiate

Synonyms

STRONG

absolve amend appease atone compensate correct excuse forgive rectify redeem redress remedy

WEAK

do penance pay one's dues square things

Antonyms

STRONG

blame charge damage forfeit harm injure lose punish worsen

VERB

offset

Synonyms

STRONGEST

balance cancel out counteract equal negate neutralize outweigh

STRONG

account charge counterpoise counterpose countervail equalize equipoise recompense redeem requite

WEAK

allow for be equivalent make amends make up for set off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

approve disproportion

VERB

outweigh

Synonyms

STRONGEST

cancel out counterbalance eclipse exceed offset overcome overshadow prevail surpass

STRONG

balance compensate counterpoise countervail excel outbalance outrival outrun predominate preponderate

WEAK

make up for set off take precedence tip the scales

Antonyms

STRONGEST

fail fall behind lose surrender

VERB

recompense

Synonyms

STRONG

atone balance comp compensate counterbalance counterpoise countervail equalize expiate fix grease indemnify offset overcompensate pay propitiate reciprocate recoup recover redress reimburse remunerate repay requite retaliate retrieve return reward satisfy square

WEAK

ante up cough up do business give satisfaction make amends make good make up for pay for put out spring for sweeten the pot swing for take care of

Antonyms

STRONG

deprive disproportion dissatisfy lose penalize refuse seize take worsen

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

AFP journalists saw devotees deliberately puncturing their skin with glass shards attached to a small wooden paddle to ensure their bleeding during the ritual, a way to atone for sins and seek miracles from God.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Having suppressed its military for years in an attempt to atone for the horrors it perpetrated, can Germany fulfil its newfound ambition to become Europe's preeminent military power?

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

But his solo status is due to a variety of factors, starting with his desperation to atone for his past mistakes — the worst of which exploited his awful father’s conditioning to obey authority.

From Salon • Aug. 28, 2025

“I don’t ask for anyone’s forgiveness, but I promise to atone for my terrible mistake.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2025

Her scolding made me more unhappy, as if being a child were a fault I had committed and must atone for.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

atone for

Example Sentences

Related Words