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 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
  • Both involve players compensated for playing football, and feature teams that generate millions in revenue and pursue players for their labor services.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The Port Authority is clearly trying to compensate for the mazelike layout.
    — Anne Kadet, Curbed, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of compensate
Verb
  • This is a new-user offer, and licenses must be redeemed within 30 days of purchase.
    — StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The coupon refreshes daily in the Wendy's app, allowing customers to redeem it each day during the promotion.
    — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of redeem
Verb
  • The Sacramento City Teachers Association President Nikki Milevsky echoed Singh’s position, saying the trust’s funds do not have to be repaid.
    — Chaewon Chung Updated August 27, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Russia reportedly sent drones to Iran this year, repaying Tehran’s favor after Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
    — Kareem Chehayeb, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of repay
Verb
  • Now, researchers have shown that an AI agent can learn to diagnose and correct some of these failures on its own.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
  • This story has been updated to correct one reference to Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
    — Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 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 2 Sep. 2026.

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