expiation

[ ek-spee-ey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of expiating.
2. the means by which atonement or reparation is made.

Other Words From

• expi·ation·al adjective
• nonex·pi·ation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of expiation¹

1375–1425; late Middle English expiacioun < Latin expiātiōn- (stem of expiātiō ) atonement, satisfaction. See expiate, -ion

Example Sentences

But “Runaway Train” the book is not some weepy expiation for past sins, a Hollywood reclamation job designed to kick-start a once-buzzy career.

From Los Angeles Times

Art uses life to its own ends; it doesn’t offer expiation to its subjects.

From New York Times

One is reminded of the ritual scapegoat on which the high priest of the Old Testament unloaded all the people’s sins before shunting the poor creature off into the wilderness—moral expiation by way of the transitive property.

From Slate

Rather, each of these minions is in thrall to the project of keeping the lie alive, complicit in a pathological system of mortification, expiation, and fear that has taken on a life of its own.

From Slate

And for every coward that secretly confesses to Romney, there is yet another coward in his shadow, seeking expiation from him, in a seemingly endless chain of people who say one thing and then do quite another, because they want to be famous, or because they want to hang on to power, or because they are afraid someone with a gun will murder their children.

From Slate

Related Words

• apology
• atonement
• indemnity
• payment
• redress
• remuneration
• renewal
• repayment
• restitution