expiation

noun ex·pi·a·tion \ ˌek-spē-ˈā-shən \

Updated on: 5 Apr 2018

Definition of expiation

1 : the act of making atonement

2 : the means by which atonement is made

Recent Examples of expiation from the Web

For her, its conventions enabled catharsis, the expiation of fear of the unknown—as embodied by the serial killer who stalks the pages of this work whistling hymns and wrapping his dog’s leash around the necks of five women.

— WSJ, "Five Best: Laura Thompson," 30 Mar. 2018
After expiation, redemption—with George at our side.

— james ellroy, Vanities, "James Ellroy’s Buzz M for Murder," 7 Oct. 2017
Nevertheless, support for him increasingly sounds like a ceremony of expiation and, ultimately, an act of faith.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "John McCain Walks on Water," 20 July 2017
Redemption wasn’t quite possible for Lee, but there was expiation for the actor.

— christian lorentzen, New Republic, "The spirit of wounded masculinity haunts America in 'A Ghost Story.'," 5 July 2017
Shock, investigation, self-flagellation, expiation.

— marc tracy, New York Times, "N.C.A.A. Charges Louisville’s Rick Pitino With Rules Violations in Sex Scandal OCT. 20, 2016," 20 Oct. 2016
Poetry served as an offering to the dead, a form of expiation, a hope for redemption.

— edward hirsch, New Republic, "Czeslaw Milosz’s Invincible Reason," 30 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'expiation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of expiation

15th century

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See words that rhyme with expiation Spanish Central: Translation of expiation Nglish: Translation of expiation for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of expiation for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about expiation

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expiation

Definition of expiation

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First Known Use of expiation

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expiation

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