atonement

noun

atone·​ment ə-ˈtōn-mənt 

1

: reparation for an offense or injury : satisfaction

a story of sin and atonement

He wanted to find a way to make atonement for his sins.

2

: the reconciliation of God and humankind through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ

3

Christian Science : the exemplifying of human oneness with God

4

obsolete : reconciliation

Examples of atonement in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Such reasoning has been rejected by victims, church reformers and even some bishops who have called for church organizations to be transparent to aid in healing for those who’ve suffered and seek atonement for not just the abuse, but also repeated cover-ups over the years. —Laura Schulte, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | Robert Herguth, Chicago Sun-Times, Journal Sentinel, 12 Dec. 2024

In place of the original’s portrait of political awakening, the sequel follows an artist (Milena Smit) who’s checked herself into the Pit as a form of personal atonement. —A.a. Dowd, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2024

Perhaps Netanyahu’s most disquieting elision in his U.N. speech, in this season of atonement, is that Moses’s admonition to choose blessings over curses was aimed specifically at the Children of Israel. —Bernard Avishai, The New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2024

However, Ray suggests atonement could help Jason find peace. —Jp Mangalindan, People.com, 6 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see atone

First Known Use

1513, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Kids Definition

atonement

noun

atone·​ment ə-ˈtōn-mənt 

1

: the return to a state of love and harmony between God and human beings through the death of Jesus Christ

2

: something that makes up for an offense or injury