Synonym Chooser

How does the verb vindicate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of vindicate are absolve, acquit, exculpate, and exonerate. While all these words mean "to free from a charge," 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

When might absolve be a better fit than vindicate?

Although the words absolve and vindicate have much in common, 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

In what contexts can acquit take the place of vindicate?

The synonyms acquit and vindicate are sometimes interchangeable, but acquit implies a formal decision in one's favor with respect to a definite charge.

voted to acquit the defendant

When could exculpate be used to replace vindicate?

The meanings of exculpate and vindicate largely overlap; however, exculpate implies a clearing from blame or fault often in a matter of small importance.

exculpating himself from the charge of overenthusiasm

When would exonerate be a good substitute for vindicate?

The words exonerate and vindicate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exonerate implies a complete clearance from an accusation or charge and from any attendant suspicion of blame or guilt.

exonerated by the investigation

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of vindicate By half-time, however, Jewell had been vindicated — Bradford led 4-3 and Windass had scored a hat-trick. The Athletic Uk Staff, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025 Each of them has paid off in some way or will be vindicated in the future. Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025 While saying this, Shauna is seemingly vindicated from being a prime suspect in Adam’s murder, and Misty’s relationship with Walter seems to be on the upswing. Skyler Trepel, People.com, 14 Feb. 2025 An attorney for Adams, Alex Spiro, said the Justice Department’s order had vindicated the mayor’s claim of innocence. Jake Offenhartz, TIME, 11 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vindicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vindicate
Verb
  • Listen to this article After more than 15 hours of deliberations over two days, a Lake County jury acquitted a one-time Munster babysitter Friday evening in a shaken baby case on a battery charge.
    Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
  • While Trump was impeached twice by the House in his first term, the Senate acquitted him both times.
    Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Three days later, his immigration attorney was able to reach an ICE official who confirmed that his client was in a prison in another country.
    Brian Bennett, TIME, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Those figures couldn’t be independently confirmed and could be an undercount.
    Hanna Arhirova and Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Continue to fulfill your obligations and verify that those actions are properly recorded.
    Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • The new requirements will impact anyone who needs to verify their bank information with the agency, as well as families with children who receive Social Security benefits and cannot verify a child's information on the SSA website.
    CBS News, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Critics argue the spending has gotten out of hand, while services haven’t improved.
    Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The big picture: Democrats have hammered Trump and Elon Musk for their approach to slicing federal agencies, arguing the administration has cut positions and programs without a clear understanding of the consequences.
    Stephen Neukam, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vindicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vindicate. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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