expiatory
Seeking to atone
Expiatory describes something intended to make amends or atone for wrongdoing.
An expiatory sacrifice seeks to wipe away sin or guilt.
An expiatory gesture attempts to repair a damaged relationship.
The word carries religious or formal weight, suggesting serious moral debt rather than casual apology.
Self-mortification for wrongdoing
- contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
- remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
- repentanceRemorseful rejection of past wrongs
- confessionAdmission of wrongdoing
self-reproach · compunction · regret · sorrow · self-punishment · self-mortification · flagellation · sackcloth
Something presented or given
- sacrificeGiving up something precious
- victimOne harmed by another
- scapegoatUnfairly blamed person
- oblationReligious gift offering
immolation · libation · burnt offering · blood sacrifice · lamb · altar · hecatomb · sin-eater
Formal clearing of guilt
- purificationRemoval of contaminants
- purgationAct of cleansing thoroughly
- cleansingRemoving dirt or toxins
- lustrationCleansing rite or vetting
catharsis · washing · sanctification · ritual bathing · mikveh · ablution · fumigation · smudging
Releasing resentment toward offenders
- salvationDeliverance from harm
- redemptionRecovery or moral restoration
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
- mercyCompassion toward offenders
pardon · deliverance · liberation · clemency · remission · exoneration · amnesty · indulgence
Compensation for injury done
- amendsCompensation for wrongdoing
- restitutionRestoring what was lost
- redressCompensation for injury
- satisfactionState of fulfilled desires
rectification · compensation · indemnity · conciliation · reconciliation · appeasement · discharge · making good
penance
Self-mortification for wrongdoing
- contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
- remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
- repentanceRemorseful rejection of past wrongs
confession · self-reproach · compunction · regret · sorrow · self-punishment · self-mortification · flagellation · sackcloth · ashes
offering
Something presented or given
oblation · immolation · libation · burnt offering · blood sacrifice · lamb · altar · hecatomb · sin-eater · ritual slaughter
absolution
Formal clearing of guilt
- purificationRemoval of contaminants
- purgationAct of cleansing thoroughly
- cleansingRemoving dirt or toxins
lustration · catharsis · washing · sanctification · ritual bathing · mikveh · ablution · fumigation · smudging · sprinkling
forgiveness
Releasing resentment toward offenders
- salvationDeliverance from harm
- redemptionRecovery or moral restoration
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
mercy · pardon · deliverance · liberation · clemency · remission · exoneration · amnesty · indulgence · release
reparation
Compensation for injury done
- amendsCompensation for wrongdoing
- restitutionRestoring what was lost
- redressCompensation for injury
satisfaction · rectification · compensation · indemnity · conciliation · reconciliation · appeasement · discharge · making good · sin offering
expiatoryunrepentant
Feeling no remorse
unapologetic · impenitent · remorseless · unremorseful · condemning
expiatoryaccusatory
Expressing blame or fault
recriminatory · incriminatory · defiant · unyielding · vindictive
expiate, expiation, propitiatory, propitiation, expiations, expiating, expiated