Vindicated
What it means
Cleared from blame or shown to have been right.
Reach for it when describing someone cleared by evidence or a position later shown to be sound
The vindicated scientist returned to her research with confidence.
Words to choose between 6
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal |
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| literary |
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everyday
cleared
Fits when suspicion has been removed plainly
Careful Cleared can result from insufficient evidence.
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warm
proven right
Fits when events confirm someone's disputed view
Careful Correctness does not settle moral responsibility.
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professional
Fits when a decision now appears reasonable
Careful Justified does not mean the person was accused.
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professional
upheld
Fits when an appeal or review sustains a decision
Careful Upheld rulings can still remain controversial.
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formal
exonerated
Fits when blame has been decisively lifted
Careful Exonerated applies to alleged wrongdoing, not predictions.
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literary
absolved
Fits when guilt or obligation has been released
Careful Absolved can depend on authority rather than facts.
Opposites 3
- discredited
- implicated
- refuted
Common phrases 3
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feel vindicated
People can feel vindicated when an independent test matches their result.
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fully vindicated
The driver was fully vindicated by the vehicle logs.
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vindicated by evidence
Their caution was vindicated by evidence from the damaged foundation.
Word family 1
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated