expiate
C2Formal, Literary
Definition
Meaning
To atone or make amends for (wrongdoing, guilt, or sin).
To extinguish the guilt incurred or make reparation for an offense, often through suffering, penance, or specific action, thereby freeing oneself from its consequences.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Strongly associated with the ideas of purification, redemption, and the rectification of a moral or ethical breach. It implies a direct action taken to address a specific wrong.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition or usage. Slightly more common in British formal/religious writing, but overall equally rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Carries strong literary, religious, or solemn legal connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both varieties; considered a high-register, specialized word.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
transitive: expiate + object (guilt, sin, crime)intransitive use is archaic and rare.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To do penance (related concept)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in theological, philosophical, historical, or literary studies regarding guilt, punishment, and redemption.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would sound overly formal or pretentious.
Technical
Used in theological and some legal contexts discussing penance and atonement.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He sought to expiate his crime through community service.
- The pilgrim hoped to expiate his sins.
American English
- He tried to expiate his guilt by donating to charity.
- The community demanded a way to expiate the historic wrong.
adverb
British English
- (Archaic/Not standard) He acted expiatorily. (Adverb form is virtually unused)
American English
- (Archaic/Not standard) He sought to behave expiatorily. (Adverb form is virtually unused)
adjective
British English
- The expiatory ritual lasted for days. (Related adjective 'expiatory')
American English
- His actions were seen as expiatory. (Related adjective 'expiatory')
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He donated money to expiate his guilt.
- She felt she had to do something to expiate her mistake.
- The king undertook a pilgrimage to expiate the sins of his reign.
- No amount of money can truly expiate a crime of such magnitude.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: EXPIRED GUILT. To EXPIATE is to make your guilt 'expire' or end by atoning for it.
Conceptual Metaphor
WRONGDOING IS A DEBT that must be repaid. GUILT IS A STAIN that must be washed clean.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not 'expiate' as in 'to breathe out' (that's 'expire').
- Do not confuse with 'исправить' (to correct a mistake) – 'expiate' is about moral/ethical atonement, often 'искупить'.
Common Mistakes
- Using it intransitively (e.g., 'He needed to expiate.'). It requires an object.
- Confusing it with 'expedite' (to speed up).
- Using it in informal contexts.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'expiate' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a high-register, formal word most commonly found in religious, literary, or legal contexts.
'Apologize' is to say you are sorry. 'Expiate' is a much stronger word meaning to actively atone for or make amends for a wrong, often through concrete action or suffering.
Almost never in modern English. It is a transitive verb, so it requires an object (e.g., expiate his sins). Intransitive use is considered archaic.
The main noun forms are 'expiation' (the act of expiating) and 'expiator' (a person who expiates).