atone

What does “atone” mean?

verb.to make amends or reparation.

SAT Usage

This term often appears in contexts related to guilt, redemption, or moral responsibility, emphasizing the effort to rectify wrongdoings or restore harmony. It implies a deeper emotional or ethical commitment to change, distinguishing it from similar words like "apologize," which may not convey the same sense of proactive restitution.

Common Confusions

Atone implies a proactive effort to repair one's wrongs, while apologize usually suggests merely expressing regret without the same commitment to restitution.

Example Sentences

• He tried to atone for his mistake by working extra hours.

• He spent years trying to atone for the mistakes of his youth.

Word Parts: How to Remember “atone”

Break “atone” into its parts: at- (at, to). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: at- at, to (Old English)