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Atone vs Contrite - What's the difference?

atone | contrite |

As a verb atone

is to make reparation, compensation, or amends, for an offence or a crime or a sin one has committed.

As an adjective contrite is

sincerely penitent or feeling regret or sorrow, especially for one’s own actions; apologetic.

As a noun contrite is

a contrite person; a penitent.

atone

English

Verb

(aton)
  • To make reparation, compensation, or amends, for an offence or a crime or a sin one has committed.
  • (proscribed) To clear (someone else) of wrongdoing, especially by standing as an equivalent.

    • Synonyms

    * (to make reparation) expiate, propitiate

    Derived terms

    () * atonable * atoneable * atonement * atoner

    Anagrams

    * * English words prefixed with at- ----

    contrite

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Sincerely penitent or feeling regret or sorrow, especially for one’s own actions; apologetic.
  • * '>citation
  • * '>citation
  • (obsolete) Thoroughly bruised or broken.

    • Antonyms

    * attrite

    Synonyms

    * See also * apologetic

    Derived terms

    * contritely * contriteness

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A contrite person; a penitent.
    • (Hooker)
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