atoned 是动词 atone 的过去式/过去分词,常见搭配 atone for sth,意思是:为(过错、罪行)赎罪;弥补;补偿。(更常用的是 “atone” 原形;名词形式是 atonement “赎罪/补偿”。)
/əˈtoʊnd/
He atoned for his mistake by apologizing and fixing the problem.
他通过道歉并解决问题来弥补自己的错误。
After years of silence, she felt she had finally atoned for the harm she caused, though forgiveness did not come easily.
多年沉默之后,她觉得自己终于为造成的伤害赎了罪,尽管原谅并不容易得到。
atone 原义与“使恢复为一体/一致”有关:中古英语里有类似 at one(“成为一体、和解”)的表达,后来逐渐发展为“弥合过错造成的裂痕”,引申为宗教和道德语境中常见的“赎罪、补偿”。