expiate
What does "expiate" mean?
To expiate is to make amends or reparation for a wrongdoing or guilt. The mental image is of someone performing a difficult task, offering a sacrifice, or undergoing a penance to "wash away" the weight of a past mistake, effectively balancing the scales of justice or morality. This word is almost exclusively used in formal or literary contexts, often appearing in discussions of theology, legal history, or high-stakes drama. It is rarely used in everyday conversation; instead of "I need to expiate my mistake," a native speaker would typically say "I need to make up for my mistake" or "I need to atone for what I did."
"expiate" in conversation
Historical drama dialogue
I have traveled to the ends of the earth to expiate my betrayal of the King.
I have traveled to the ends of the earth to make amends for my betrayal of the King.
Only through true contrition can your sins be forgiven, my son.
Only through true contrition can your sins be forgiven, my son.
Expiate is often paired with terms related to sin, guilt, or historical duty.
Academic discussion
The protagonist seeks to expiate his grief by building a monument for his lost brother.
The protagonist seeks to make amends for his grief by building a monument for his lost brother.
So, the monument acts as a form of penance?
So, the monument acts as a form of penance?
It is frequently used when analyzing the motivations of characters in literature.
"expiate" in a sentence
He tried to expiate his guilt by donating his entire salary to charity.
He tried to make amends for his guilt by donating his entire salary to charity.
The ritual was performed to expiate the community's past failures.
The ritual was performed to make amends for the community's past failures.
No amount of wealth could expiate the profound moral debt he owed to those he had deceived.
No amount of wealth could make amends for the profound moral debt he owed to those he had deceived.
