exculpatory

adjective

ex·cul·pa·to·ry ek-ˈskəl-pə-ˌtȯr-ē

Synonyms of exculpatory next

: tending or serving to exculpate

Did you know?

No one will blame you for having questions about the origins of exculpatory. The adjective comes from a combination of the prefix ex-, meaning "out of" or "away from," and the Latin noun culpa, which means "blame" or "guilt." Something exculpatory, then, frees one from accusations. Culpa has given English a number of other words, including the verb exculpate ("to clear from alleged fault or guilt"). The related but lesser-known terms inculpate ("to incriminate") and inculpatory ("incriminating") are antonyms of exculpate and exculpatory. Culpable is a synonym of blameworthy, and mea culpa refers to a formal acknowledgment of personal fault or error.

Examples of exculpatory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

The judge that vacated the conviction said prosecutors during his murder trial two decades ago improperly withheld exculpatory evidence. —

Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 26 Oct. 2024 Parker informed federal prosecutors that Adams must be given certain disclosures and exculpatory evidence as pretrial proceedings commence, a process under what is known as the Brady doctrine. —

Jack Birle, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 27 Sep. 2024 Syed was freed from prison almost two years ago after a Baltimore judge ruled that the state had improperly withheld exculpatory evidence from his defense team. —

Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 3 Sep. 2024 The indictment was upheld by Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer, who shot down claims from the defense that prosecutors violated grand jury rules to divert attention from witnesses and exculpatory evidence. —

Evan Rosen, New York Daily News, 14 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for exculpatory