seeking atonement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seeking atonement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of trying to make amends or to seek forgiveness for a wrongdoing. Example: "After realizing the impact of his actions, he dedicated his life to seeking atonement for the pain he caused."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

But McNamara was seeking atonement, while Wolfowitz wanted vindication — further evidence of the diminishing power of disgrace in American politics.

The New Yorker

Perhaps he is seeking atonement for having committed the mortal sin of playing air guitar in a library, in "The Breakfast Club" (1985).

The New Yorker

C4 Business Digest C1 EDITORIAL A16-17 Editorials: Federal election wrecking crew; seeking atonement in Dallas; the specter of starvation; more thinking on the Tweed.

The New York Times

In this case it was into a supernatural narrative told by three characters: a lonely young woman looking for love; her mother, who is seeking atonement; and a serial killer who has sold his soul to the Devil.

The New York Times

This has been a big year for institutional contrition, with the Vatican apologizing for misdeeds of the past -- extending back to the Inquisition -- and Swiss banks seeking atonement for appropriating the accounts of Holocaust victims.

The New York Times

There was Justin Bieber seeking atonement after videos surfaced in which he made racist remarks.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

He has also sought atonement and religious counseling.

The New York Times

While Will seeks atonement, Alex wants to step out from behind his walls and belong.

The New York Times

Cohen, evidently, doesn't need the Jewish calendar to prescribe when he should seek atonement.

Independent

Clearly, the victims of both atrocities seek atonement from the murder state.

The Guardian

The message also sought atonement for another proposal made at the conference yesterday, a demonstration of an app called Circle Shake that simulated male masturbation.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "seeking atonement", ensure the context clearly defines the wrong action and the specific steps being taken to atone. This provides clarity and strengthens the message.

Common error

Avoid using "seeking atonement" when the situation actually requires absolution. Atonement involves making amends, while absolution is the forgiveness of sins, often by a religious authority. Make sure you're emphasizing the action to correct a wrong, not just the desire to be forgiven.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seeking atonement" functions as a verbal phrase describing the action of attempting to make amends for a wrongdoing. As Ludwig indicates, it correctly expresses the pursuit of reconciliation or expiation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "seeking atonement" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to describe the act of trying to make amends for a past wrongdoing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly conveys the idea of pursuing reconciliation or expiation. While alternatives such as "making amends" or "seeking redemption" exist, "seeking atonement" provides a specific emphasis on the actions taken to repair the harm caused. Remember to use the phrase when the situation emphasizes corrective actions to be forgiven.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

atoning for past wrongs

Highlights the act of making reparation for previous misdeeds.

making amends

Highlights the actions taken to correct a wrong and compensate for damages.

pursuing reconciliation

Focuses on the act of restoring harmonious relationships after wrongdoing.

seeking redemption

Implies a desire for salvation or deliverance from sin or error.

trying to redeem oneself

Emphasizes the effort to improve one's character or reputation after a mistake.

working towards forgiveness

Focuses on the process of gaining acceptance and pardon for past actions.

attempting to expiate sins

Refers to efforts to purify oneself from guilt or wrongdoing through penance or sacrifice.

apologizing and rectifying

Combines expressing remorse with taking corrective actions.

regretting and resolving

Combines feeling sorrowful with determining to make positive changes.

showing remorse

Expresses regret and sorrow for past actions, often as a step toward making amends.

FAQs

How can I use "seeking atonement" in a sentence?

You can use "seeking atonement" to describe someone trying to make amends for a past wrong. For example, "After realizing the damage he caused, he dedicated his life to "seeking atonement" for his actions."

What's a good alternative to "seeking atonement"?

Alternatives include "making amends", "seeking redemption", or "pursuing reconciliation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "seeking atonement" formal or informal?

"Seeking atonement" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase, suitable for both news articles and academic writing. In very informal contexts, phrases like "trying to make up for it" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "seeking atonement" and "seeking forgiveness"?

"Seeking atonement" implies taking action to repair the harm caused by a wrong, while "seeking forgiveness" focuses on obtaining pardon from the wronged party. Atonement may involve actions beyond simply asking for forgiveness.