May 19, 2026 · exculpate, absolve, exonerate, acquit, vindicate mean to free from a charge. exculpate implies a clearing from blame or fault often in a matter of small importance.

Vindicate means to justify, prove, or reinforce an idea — or to absolve from guilt. If your family thinks you hogged the last piece of pie on Thanksgiving, you'll be vindicated when your younger brother fesses up.

VINDICATE meaning: 1. to prove that what someone said or did was right or true, after other people thought it was…. Learn more.

vin•di•cate (ˈvɪn dɪˌkeɪt) v.t. -cat•ed, -cat•ing. 1. to clear, as from an accusation or suspicion: to vindicate someone's honor. 2. to afford justification for; justify. 3. to uphold or justify by argument or evidence. …

Jan 14, 2026 · vindicate (third-person singular simple present vindicates, present participle vindicating, simple past and past participle vindicated) (transitive) To clear of an accusation, suspicion or criticism.

There are 12 meanings listed in OED's entry for the verb vindicate, four of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

If a person or their decisions, actions, or ideas are vindicated, they are proved to be correct, after people have said that they were wrong. The director said he had been vindicated by the experts' report. He …

The comprehensive definition of vindicate. Includes pronunciation, synonyms, etymology, and usage examples to help you master this word.

to protect from harm or criticism by proving it's right or justified. His evidence vindicated him from false accusations.

Which is correct: "vindicate" or "indicate"? "Vindicate" means to clear from blame or suspicion, or to justify, while "indicate" means to point out or show. Although they sound similar, they have very …