Meanings
adjectiveexpiative (comparative more expiative, superlative most expiative)
comparative more expiative · superlative most expiative
- That serves to expiate.
Studies on behavioral aspects of altruism connect it with guilt, resulting in either expiative or reparative consequences (Krebs 1970).
2012, W. W. Meissner, Ethical Dimension of Psychoanalysis, The: A Dialogue
Synonyms & antonyms
adjectivehaving power to atone for or offered by way of expiation or propitiation
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Also see
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Cite this entry
APA
expiative. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/expiative
MLA
“expiative.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/expiative. Accessed November 3, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “expiative,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/expiative.
Source: expiative on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.