atones

verb

present tense third-person singular of atone
as in confesses

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for atones
  1. confesses
  2. apologizes
  3. justifies
Verb
  • With the whizbang action long in the series’ rearview, this quiet road trip proves its emotional centerpiece, as Noah confesses both his true nature and his desire to be better — the conflict of his programming.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Things are suddenly different, starting at work, where the gallery director confesses to noticing him for the first time and a punky feminist artist requests his involvement in her upcoming show.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of confesses
Verb
  • Eventually the vice president, who has become president, apologizes to the nation for exploiting nature.
    — Peter Prengaman, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026
  • In the book, John, struggling with dementia, experiences a moment of spiritual and emotional reckoning, apologizes to Lucky for his deception and criminal lifestyle.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of apologizes
Verb
  • In instances like these, and there are many of them, one realizes how the novel acquires, and justifies, its title.
    — Zain Khalid, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
  • And for four consecutive games, the running back unit has proved it more than justifies the hype.
    — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of justifies
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.

Browse Nearby Words

atonements
atones
atones (for)
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Cite this Entry

“Atones.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/atones. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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