It’s hard not to marvel at the rich history of vindicate. Vindicate, which has been used in English since at least the mid-16th century, comes from a form of the Latin verb vindicare, meaning “to set free, avenge, or lay claim to.” Vindicare, in turn, comes from vindex, a noun meaning “claimant” or “avenger.” Truly, vindex has proven to be an incredible hulk of a word progenitor over the centuries. Other descendants of this “avenger” assembled in English include avenge itself, revenge, vengeance, vendetta, and vindictive.
exculpate implies a clearing from blame or fault often in a matter of small importance.
exculpating himself from the charge of overenthusiasm
absolve implies a release either from an obligation that binds the conscience or from the consequences of disobeying the law or committing a sin.
cannot be absolved of blame
exonerate implies a complete clearance from an accusation or charge and from any attendant suspicion of blame or guilt.
exonerated by the investigation
acquit implies a formal decision in one's favor with respect to a definite charge.
voted to acquit the defendant
vindicate may refer to things as well as persons that have been subjected to critical attack or imputation of guilt, weakness, or folly, and implies a clearing effected by proving the unfairness of such criticism or blame.
justify implies showing to be true, just, or valid by appeal to a standard or to precedent.
the action was used to justify military intervention
Examples of vindicate in a Sentence
She will be completely vindicated by the evidence. These discoveries vindicate their theory. Their approach to the problem has been vindicated by the positive results. He felt vindicated when the truth became known.
Recent Examples on the WebThey felt somewhat vindicated in June 2021, when a USDA veterinary medical officer accompanied the agent who had been doing Triple D’s animal-welfare inspections.—Rene Ebersole, Rolling Stone, 21 Apr. 2024 This discovery was vindicating to me, both scientifically and personally.—Alice Xiang, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for vindicate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vindicate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Latin vindicatus, past participle of vindicare to lay claim to, avenge, from vindic-, vindex claimant, avenger
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