Synonyms

expiatory

American

[ek-spee-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] / ˈɛk spi əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

adjective

able to make atonement or expiation; offered by way of expiation.

expiatory sacrifices.

expiatory British

/ -trɪ, ˈɛkspɪətərɪ /

adjective

capable of making expiation
given or offered in expiation

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

nonexpiatory adjective

Etymology

Origin of expiatory

1540–50; < Late Latin expiātōrius, equivalent to expiā ( re ) ( expiate ) + -tōrius -tory ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Pythagoreans enjoined religious ceremonies for the purpose of purifying the mind, and expiatory rites were common, especially in the Oriental religions.

From Project Gutenberg

A great expiatory sacrifice succeeded in finally calming him.

From Project Gutenberg

The oracle, being again consulted by Temenus, bade him offer an expiatory sacrifice and banish the murderer for ten years, and look out for a man with three eyes to act as guide.

From Project Gutenberg

In the philosophy of Plato, on the other hand, punishment was chiefly expiatory and purificatory.

From Project Gutenberg

I doubt whether a real distinction can be made between propitiatory and expiatory sacrifices.

From Project Gutenberg

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023