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