Meaning & use
propitiation
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Meanings
noununcountableformalreligion
The act of calming an angry god or powerful person by offering gifts, prayer or sacrifice.
Grammar: Usually uncountable and followed by of or to: propitiation of the gods.
Patterns
- propitiation of someone
- propitiation to someone
- as propitiation for something
Ancient farmers offered grain in propitiation of the storm god.
The ritual was meant as propitiation for the community's sins.
Many cultures practiced animal sacrifice in propitiation of angry spirits.
noununcountablereligion
In Christian theology, the sacrifice that turns away God's anger and restores the relationship with people.
Grammar: Used in discussion of theology, often in the phrase propitiation for sins.
Patterns
- propitiation for something
The sermon described the sacrifice as a propitiation for human sin.
Theologians have debated whether propitiation or expiation best translates the Greek word.
The doctrine of propitiation is central to some denominations.
nouncountable or uncountablefigurativehumorous
An act of trying to win favor or avoid anger from someone powerful, often by giving in.
Grammar: Used figuratively and slightly mockingly of ordinary situations.
Patterns
- propitiation of someone
The gift of chocolates was pure propitiation after he missed the party.
He bought flowers in propitiation of his furious landlord.
Her constant nods were an act of propitiation toward the boss.
Common combinations
- an act of propitiation
- The offering was an act of propitiation.
- propitiation of the gods
- Temple rites focused on the propitiation of the gods.
- propitiation for sin
- The text speaks of propitiation for sin.
- in propitiation
- The village gave a feast in propitiation.
Synonyms and how they differ
- appeasement
- Appeasement is broader and common in politics, meaning giving concessions to avoid conflict.
- placation
- Placation means calming someone down, and does not imply a religious offering.
- atonement
- Atonement means making up for a wrong done, while propitiation aims to turn away anger.
- expiation
- Expiation focuses on removing guilt itself rather than soothing the one who is offended.
Opposites
Word family
- propitiate verb
- to calm or win over by an offering
- propitiatory adjective
- intended to appease
- propitious adjective
- favorable, as in propitious conditions
- propitiator noun
- one who propitiates
Commonly confused: propitiation or propitious? propitiation or expiation?
propitiation vs propitious
Propitious means favorable or promising, and is related in origin but does not mean appeasing.
propitiation vs expiation
Expiation removes the guilt of a wrong; propitiation calms the anger of the offended party.
Practice
The villagers left bread at the shrine as ___ of the angry river spirit.
Choose one answer.
Propitiation means appeasing a powerful being with an offering. Protection is tempting but describes safety, not calming anger.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “propitiation”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.