expiate

verb

ˈek-spē-ˌāt How to pronounce expiate (audio)
Definition of expiatenext
as in to compensate
to make up for (an offense) Yom Kippur is the holy day on which Jews are expected to expiate sins committed during the past year

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of expiate They are bound together not only by their shared grief, but also by the unspoken guilt and blame that Lux and Ella can only hope to expiate through each other. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026 Larded throughout this scene is that unmistakable suggestion, yet again, that the play exists because its playwright needed — if not to right a cosmic wrong — to create a place to house or expiate his grief. — Rhoda Feng, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2026 But now Epstein, 49, is wearing a different hat, and hoping to expiate his unintended sins against a sport that has been his lifelong passion. — David Axelrod, CNN, 1 Apr. 2023 Only the brilliant Richard Fleischer–Norman Wexler Mandingo in 1975 would expiate that consciousness. — Armond White, National Review, 27 Apr. 2022 In 17th-century Austria, wooden pillars were erected for the self-mortifying convenience of the flagellants who roamed Europe, whipping themselves to expiate whatever sins had brought on the Black Death. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 15 Mar. 2021 Ridding oneself of guilt is often easier than overcoming shame, in part because our society offers many ways to expiate guilt-inducing offenses, including apologizing, paying fines, and serving jail time. — Annette Kämmerer, Scientific American, 9 Aug. 2019 Anyone who’s familiar with the world of competitive cycling knows that, for some athletes, the sport is a means of escaping, or salving, or expiating, tremendous inner pain. — Bill Gifford, Outside Online, 24 July 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expiate
  1. compensate
  2. redeem
  3. repay
  4. correct
Verb
  • In which case, who is ultimately on the hook to compensate any victims?
    — Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Government spending remains well above its peers in the politically sensitive realm of social protections, particularly pensions and healthcare, while tepid economic growth has failed to compensate.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of compensate
Verb
  • Citi's travel rewards program is officially called Citi ThankYou® Rewards, and ThankYou® Points can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, merchandise, travel, transfers to travel programs and more.
    — Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Every wager on theScore Bet earns PENN Play Rewards that can be redeemed for bonus bets or turned into real-world perks at PENN properties.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of redeem
Verb
  • Lenders may also consider other factors, such as your employment history and existing debt, when evaluating your ability to repay the loan.
    — Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026
  • That surprise vote in May prompted state lawmakers to threaten to force Charlotte and other local governments to repay hundreds of millions of dollars spent on the project.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of repay
Verb
  • Persist toward Ithaca, but be prepared to correct your course as the winds and circumstances change.
    — Jeff DeGraff, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Every hour spent sorting candidates, interviewing, onboarding, correcting course and starting over is time not spent leading the business.
    — Kenzie Biggins, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of correct

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Cite this Entry

“Expiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expiate. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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