What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
atonement
Example
He sought atonement for his past mistakes by volunteering at a local charity. [atonement: noun]
Example
She felt a sense of atonement after apologizing to her friend for her hurtful words. [atonement: noun]
reparation
Example
The company agreed to provide financial reparations to the affected customers. [reparations: noun]
Example
The government offered reparations to the victims of the historical injustice. [reparations: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Reparation is more commonly used than atonement in everyday language. Reparation is often used in legal, social, and historical contexts to describe the act of making compensation or amends for a harm or damage caused. Atonement, on the other hand, is less common and is often used in spiritual or religious contexts to describe the act of seeking forgiveness and reconciling with oneself, others, or a higher power.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between atonement and reparation?
Both atonement and reparation can be used in formal contexts, but reparation is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, including both formal and informal situations. Atonement, on the other hand, is more commonly associated with a spiritual or religious tone and may be perceived as more formal.
