expiative

9.9

That removes guilt after someone does something wrong

adjective
/ɛkˈspɪətɪv/

Formal

: expiativo

The ritual was considered an expiative act, intended to cleanse the community of guilt.

Examples

Many ancient cultures offered expiative sacrifices to appease their gods.
His apology struck a deeply expiative note, acknowledging the hurt he had caused.
The expiative rituals helped the community heal after the tragedy.
Many cultures believe in the expiative power of forgiveness.
The ritual was considered an expiative act, intended to cleanse the community of guilt.
Many ancient cultures offered expiative sacrifices to appease their gods.
His apology struck a deeply expiative note, acknowledging the hurt he had caused.

Synonyms

expiatory

vsexpiative

Formal

1 9.9

Made to show someone is sorry and to make up for a wrong

has power or serves as a means to achieve atonement

propitiatory

vsexpiative

Formal

1 9.9

An action or gift to calm someone who is angry

focuses on being able to atone rather than only seeking appeasement

absolvitory

vsexpiative

Formal

9.9

Giving forgiveness to someone for a wrong or crime

works as a means to make amends not just to forgive

How Atoning

propitiatory

Formal

1 9.9

expiative

Formal

9.9

reparative

4 6.9

Surface Forms

expiative positive

Morphology

expiative = expiate (transparent) = expiate + ive

Formed from the verb 'expiate' with the standard adjective-forming suffix '-ive', so the meaning 'serving to atone' is directly derived.

Etymology

The word expiative comes from the Latin expiāre ('to atone'), formed with ex- 'out' and the same root you see in pious. So an expiative act is meant to 'clean away' guilt or make up for a wrong.