After the publication of the long-awaited Chilcot report, which documented some of the most shameful years of British foreign policy in minute detail, this week’s word, suggested by Anoosh Chakelian, is:
Atonyment (n)
The act of expressing deep sorrow and grief while wiping one’s hands of all responsibility.
The word is primarily a shorthand for an emotion described by Tony Blair, when he said: “There is no inconsistency in expressing my sorrow for those who have lost their lives, my regret and still saying the decision is right.”
Usage:
“He atonyed for the hundreds of thousands of Iraqis who died since 2003.”
Subscribe to the New Statesman today for only £1 a week.“He atonyed for the lack of WMDs.”
“Has David Cameron atonyed for Brexit?”
Articles to read if you are in a state of atonyment:
- “I will take full responsibility for any mistakes but I did what was right”
- Tony Blair’s emotional defence of invading Iraq
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