vindicate

verb

vin·di·cate ˈvin-də-ˌkāt

vindicated; vindicating

Synonyms of vindicate next

transitive verb

: to free from allegation or blame

b(1)

: confirm, substantiate

(2)

: to provide justification or defense for : justify

: to protect from attack or encroachment : defend

: avenge

: to maintain a right to

obsolete : to set free : deliver

Did you know?

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.

Choose the Right Synonym for vindicate

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.

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.

her judgment was vindicated

maintain, assert, defend, vindicate, justify mean to uphold as true, right, just, or reasonable.

maintain stresses firmness of conviction.

steadfastly maintained his innocence

assert suggests determination to make others accept one's claim.

asserted her rights

defend implies maintaining in the face of attack or criticism.

defended his voting record

vindicate implies successfully defending.

his success vindicated our faith in him

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 Web History vindicates Chambers’s version of events, and his propulsive storytelling withstands the test of time. —

Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2024 Marianna may have been vindicated, but conspiracies about the Butterfly Center continued to percolate online. —

Outside Online, 16 Oct. 2024 Any momentum Tesla’s stock had heading into the event has now fizzled, and Tesla bears will likely continue to feel vindicated heading into the company’s earnings call on Oct. 23. —

Greg McKenna, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2024 In the wake of its transformative changes to dress codes and workplaces, Canali’s earlier decision to update its product offering and embrace its new status as a true lifestyle brand capable of outfitting its customer for any occasion or situation has been vindicated. —

Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 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

First Known Use

circa 1571, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Time Traveler

The first known use of vindicate was circa 1571

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Vindicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vindicate. Accessed 3 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

vindicate

verb

vin·di·cate ˈvin-də-ˌkāt

vindicated; vindicating

: to free from blame or guilt

evidence that will vindicate me

: confirm sense 4

later discoveries vindicated the claim

vindication

ˌvin-də-ˈkā-shən

noun

vindicator

ˈvin-də-ˌkāt-ər

noun

Last Updated: 1 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

cursory

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

vindicate

verb

Did you know?

Synonyms

Examples of vindicate in a Sentence

Word History

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near vindicate

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition