as in compensatory
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as in acquitting
to free from a charge of wrongdoing
the results of the DNA fingerprinting finally exonerated the man, but only after he had wasted 10 years of his life in prison
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Recent Examples of exonerating
Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
The official investigators of the deaths during the infamous riot were under intense and explicit pressure to conform their testimony to an official, state-exonerating narrative.
—Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026
Dallas County commissioners passed a symbolic resolution exonerating Tommy Lee Walker.
—J.d. Miles, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
The Louisiana State Police published new video from the deadly pileup involving LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy, defending its investigation after Lacy's lawyer claimed to have new evidence allegedly exonerating the late college football star.
—Christian Orozco, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2025
Italy's highest court made the final ruling in 2015, exonerating Knox and Sollecito for good.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Two recent court decisions—one a civil case over an allegedly defective anatomical implant, the other a murder in rural Wisconsin—are the latest in a string of decisions confirming wearables data is fair game and can be pivotal in exposing a wrongdoing or exonerating an innocent person.
—IEEE Spectrum, 27 Sep. 2021
Verb
Thursday’s proceeding is expected to bring that long chapter to a close, formally exonerating the four men and marking a consequential moment in a case that has haunted Austin for more than three decades.
—Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
The official investigators of the deaths during the infamous riot were under intense and explicit pressure to conform their testimony to an official, state-exonerating narrative.
—Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026
Dallas County commissioners passed a symbolic resolution exonerating Tommy Lee Walker.
—J.d. Miles, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
The Louisiana State Police published new video from the deadly pileup involving LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy, defending its investigation after Lacy's lawyer claimed to have new evidence allegedly exonerating the late college football star.
—Christian Orozco, NBC news, 8 Oct. 2025
Italy's highest court made the final ruling in 2015, exonerating Knox and Sollecito for good.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Two recent court decisions—one a civil case over an allegedly defective anatomical implant, the other a murder in rural Wisconsin—are the latest in a string of decisions confirming wearables data is fair game and can be pivotal in exposing a wrongdoing or exonerating an innocent person.
—IEEE Spectrum, 27 Sep. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exonerating
Verb
-
Marc Agnifilo, one of Weinstein’s defense attorneys, told reporters the final juror tally was 9-3 in favor of acquitting his client.—
Adam Reiss,
NBC news,
15 May 2026
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The 2025 jury deliberated for more than 20 hours before ultimately acquitting the former Bentley College lecturer and equity researcher at Fidelity Investments on all charges save for drunken driving.—
Flint McColgan,
Boston Herald,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Mullins rejected that argument on the grounds that exculpatory information must always be shared.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
13 May 2026
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And his exculpatory claim that parking fee revenues benefit the park raises doubts.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exonerating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exonerating. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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