unatoned
Not yet absolved
Unatoned describes wrongdoing that has not been made right or compensated for—sins, crimes, or offenses that remain unaddressed.
The word carries moral or spiritual weight: His cruelty to her went unatoned.
The unatoned guilt haunted him for years.
Something unatoned for lingers unresolved.
Not converted to value
- unabsolvedNot pardoned of sins
- unpardonedNot officially forgiven
- unreconciledNot brought into harmony
- unclearedNot yet made free
inexpiable · outstanding · unsettled · uncleansed · unwashed · unrelieved
Remorseful state over misdeeds
- regretSorrow over past actions
- penitenceRemorse for misdeeds
- self-reproachBlaming oneself for wrongdoing
- compunctionUneasiness from guilt
anguish · pangs · sorrow · ruefulness · self-condemnation · gnawing · unspoken · unexpressed
Measure of heaviness
- albatrossLong-winged oceanic bird
- millstoneGrain-crushing circular stone
- yokeCrosspiece binding draft animals
- onusResponsibility one bears
encumbrance · heaviness · load · baggage · cross · unresolved · unlifted · carried
Painful awareness of failure
- culpabilityDeserving blame for wrongdoing
- sinViolation of divine law
- transgressionViolation of law or code
- wrongdoingUnethical or illegal action
iniquity · dishonor · trespass · offense · misdeed · fault · blame · stain
unredeemed
Not converted to value
- unabsolvedNot pardoned of sins
- unpardonedNot officially forgiven
- unreconciledNot brought into harmony
uncleared · inexpiable · outstanding · unsettled · uncleansed · unwashed · unrelieved
contrition
Remorseful state over misdeeds
- regretSorrow over past actions
- penitenceRemorse for misdeeds
- self-reproachBlaming oneself for wrongdoing
compunction · anguish · pangs · sorrow · ruefulness · self-condemnation · gnawing · unspoken · unexpressed · unrelieved
weight
Measure of heaviness
- albatrossLong-winged oceanic bird
- millstoneGrain-crushing circular stone
- yokeCrosspiece binding draft animals
onus · encumbrance · heaviness · load · baggage · cross · unresolved · unlifted · carried · borne
shame
Painful awareness of failure
- culpabilityDeserving blame for wrongdoing
- sinViolation of divine law
- transgressionViolation of law or code
wrongdoing · iniquity · dishonor · trespass · offense · misdeed · fault · blame · stain · taint