Vindicate
What it means
To clear from blame or prove to be right.
Reach for it when showing that evidence clears someone or proves a challenged judgment correct
New photographs may vindicate the driver accused of carelessness.
Words to choose between 6
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal |
|
| literary |
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everyday
Fits when plain language suits removal of suspicion
Careful Clear can mean acquit without proving who was responsible.
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warm
prove right
Fits when later evidence confirms a disputed prediction
Careful Being right does not mean being blameless.
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professional
justify
Fits when reasons make a choice defensible
Careful Justification may concede that harm occurred.
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professional
Fits when findings support an approach or feeling
Careful Validation is wrong for clearing criminal blame.
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formal
Fits when evidence removes blame for wrongdoing
Careful Exoneration does not validate every related decision.
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literary
Fits when responsibility or guilt is formally removed
Careful Absolution can sound religious or moral.
Opposites 3
- implicate
- condemn
- disprove
Common phrases 3
-
vindicate a decision
The later inspection helped vindicate the decision to close the bridge.
-
fully vindicate
Unedited footage would fully vindicate the accused volunteer.
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vindicate her judgment
The successful evacuation vindicated her judgment about the storm.
Word family 1
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated