noun

expiation

ek-spee-AY-shun/ˌekspiˈeɪʃn/

The act of making amends for wrongdoing.

The adult returns the repaired vase in expiation for breaking it.

An East Asian adult returns a broken vase now carefully repaired to its owner, contrite purposeful act.

Etymology

exLatincompletely

+piaLatinpropitiate, appease

+tionLatinact or process

Here ex- intensifies appeasement rather than meaning “out.” The resulting action noun names atonement: making satisfaction or reparation for an offense.

In context

Storytime Haven492:27

He was being kept alive in order to be condemned to the expiation of his crimes in penal servitude,

📖 Whosoever Shall Offend ✨ by F. Marion Crawford

More examples

He offers a public apology in expiation of his lies.
The ritual offers believers a way to seek expiation.
Paying for the repairs is only part of her expiation.

Forms

expiation · expiations

expiate verb — To make amends for a wrongdoing.

Similar words

atonement: Often emphasizes moral or religious reconciliation after a wrongdoing.
reparation: Focuses on repairing damage or compensating those harmed.