Definition

1. Verb:
   • To atone for; to make amends or reparation for: To extinguish the guilt incurred by (a wrong or sin) through some form of payment, suffering, or reparation. It implies a process of making things right after a moral transgression.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:
  • He sought to expiate his crimes through years of community service.
  • She donated a large sum to charity, hoping to expiate her feelings of guilt.
  • In some religions, rituals are performed to expiate sin.

Advanced Usage

• "to expiate for": While "expiate" is often used transitively (expiate something), it can sometimes be followed by "for" in less formal contexts, though this is considered redundant by some style guides.
  • He wished to expiate for his past mistakes. (He wished to atone for his past mistakes.)

Variants and Related Words

• Expiation (n): The act of making amends or atoning for sin or wrongdoing.
  • The ceremony was an act of expiation.
• Expiatory (adj): Having the nature of expiation; intended to atone.
  • He performed expiatory rites.

Synonyms

• Atone for: To make amends or reparation.
• Make amends for: To compensate for a wrong.
• Redeem: To atone for or make up for a fault (often in a religious context).

Antonyms

• Commit: To perpetrate or carry out (a sin or crime).
• Offend: To commit a sin or violation.

Related Phrases and Concepts

• Expiate a wrong: To atone for a wrongful act.
  • He spent his life trying to expiate the wrong he had done.
• Expiate one's guilt: To atone for one's feelings of guilt.
  • Nothing could expiate the deep guilt she felt.

Verb

1. make amends for
   • expiate one's sins