self-exculpation

noun

self-ex·​cul·​pa·​tion ˌself-ˌek-(ˌ)skəl-ˈpā-shən How to pronounce self-exculpation (audio)
: the act or an instance of exculpating oneself : the act or an instance of clearing oneself from alleged fault or guilt
As always in these cases, the attempt at self-exculpation only makes the guilty party look even worse.Richard Evans
self-exculpatory adjective
a self-exculpatory letter
self-exculpating adjective
a self-exculpating account of the incident

Word History

First Known Use

1770, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-exculpation was in 1770

Dictionary Entries Near self-exculpation

Cite this Entry

“Self-exculpation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-exculpation. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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