scapegoat, sacrifice. penance, fasting, maceration, sackcloth and ashes, white sheet, shrift, flagellation, lustration
purgation, purgatory.
Verbs
atone, atone for
expiate
propitiate
make amends, make good
reclaim, redeem, repair, ransom, absolve, purge, shrive, do penance, stand in a white sheet, repent in sackcloth and ashes, wear a hairshirt. set one's house in order, wipe off old scores, make matters up
pay the forfeit, pay the penalty. apologize, beg pardon, give satisfaction
come down on one's knees, fall down on one's knees, down on one's marrow bones.