expiate

[ ek-spee-eyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ex·pi·at·ed, ex·pi·at·ing.

1. to atone for; make amends or reparation for:

   to expiate one's crimes.

expiate

/ ˈɛkspɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. tr to atone for or redress (sin or wrongdoing); make amends for

Derived Forms

• ˈexpiˌator, noun

Other Words From

• expi·ator noun
• un·expi·ated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of expiate¹

1585–95; < Latin expiātus (past participle of expiāre to atone for, make good), equivalent to ex- ex- ¹ + piā ( re ) to propitiate ( pious ) + -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of expiate¹

C16: from Latin expiāre, from pius dutiful; see pious

Example Sentences

The Sisters have come a long way, but never strayed from their mission: to promulgate universal joy and expiate stigmatic guilt.

From Los Angeles Times

I keep it and rear it rather on the Roman Catholic principle of expiating numerous sins, great or small, by one good work.

From Literature

He spent a large part of his life expiating one unfortunate deed after another and never rebelling against the almost impossible demands made upon him.

From Literature

Middle-class white students expiating their guilt over the death of Martin Luther King—that was how many viewed the demonstrations.

From Literature

In this airbrushed history, America expiated its original sin of slavery with the massive bloodletting that was our Civil War.

From Salon