Atone, and expiate both of them relate to making amends for wrongdoing, however they are used in different context. Let's see them one by one.
What our dictionaries say:
Atone
It means to act in a way that show you are sorry for doing something wring in the past.
- He atoned by apologizing.
- He donated to charity to atone for his past greed.
Atone for something means to do something good as a way to show that you are sorry about doing something bad.
Expiate
It means to accept punishment for something that you have done wrong in order to show that you are sorry.
It means to do something as a way to show that your are sorry about doing something bad.
- He killed his wife; now he is trying to ding a way to expiate his sin.
- Don's children expiated their father's sins by paying a huge penalty.
Difference between atone, and expiate:
Here is the difference between atone and expiate.
We may atone for fault by different kind of suffering.
We expiate a crime only by suffering a legal punishment.
Atone is more personal, emotional, often tied to remorse or spirituality.
- He atoned for his lies by confessing and helping those he hurt.
Expiate is more formal, ritualistic, or legalistic.
- The priest offered a sacrifice to expiate the sins of the people.
Charity work, helping other, feeding poor is more connected with atone.
Expiate is more aligned with suffering, penalty or ritual.
In a nutshell
We can atone for hurting someone by apologizing or giving flowers.
We expiate crimes by enduring legal punishments or rituals.
Books on Grammar:
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