ADJ.
great, serious
VERB + ATONE
commit, committed, order, performed, tried
ATONE + NOUN
guilt, sin, sins
PREP.
in
verb
To make reparation, compensation, amends or satisfaction for an offence, crime, mistake or deficiency.
He tried to atone for his mistakes by working harder.
She gave a donation to atone for her past actions.
To bring at one or at concordance; to reconcile; to suffer appeasement.
To agree or accord; to be in accordance or harmony.
To unite in making.
To absolve (someone else) of wrongdoing, especially by standing as an equivalent.
verb — turn away from sin or do penitence
verb — make amends for
The ritual was performed to atone for sins.
He committed suicide to atone for his sin.
He should atone for his sins.
The salaryman went to live quietly in a remote area in order to atone for his sins.
i Register
In some senses, atone is marked as obsolete. Watch for register when choosing this word.