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 Three years into the war in Ukraine, Moscow’s strategy to pursue a war of attrition and wait for Western unity to crack appears to be vindicated. Alexander Cooley, Foreign Affairs, 16 Apr. 2025 Their excellent form vindicates a pragmatic approach from Conte, who has adapted the team to suit the strengths of the players who came in late last summer. Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 2 May 2025 After having misgivings in her role about accusing a high school swim coach of molestation and stepping away from her blog, she is ultimately vindicated. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 2 May 2025 When uranium prices finally began to recover, and the narrative shifted back toward nuclear as a viable energy solution, Kopernik’s early positioning was vindicated. Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vindicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vindicate
Verb
  • The eight Black Sox players were acquitted on Aug. 2, 1921, after the jury convened for a mere two hours, 47 minutes.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
  • In what became another shocking tale of luck, Combs was ultimately acquitted on all charges.
    Kyndall Cunningham, Vox, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • On May 3, the actor attended Moda Operandi, the pre-Met Gala cocktail party orchestrated by Donatella Versace at The Twenty Two hotel, all but confirming her attendance at the biggest fashion event of the year.
    María Munsuri, Glamour, 4 May 2025
  • The news was confirmed via a public obituary and his daughter Anne Marie Scalies’ statement to The Hollywood Reporter.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 4 May 2025
Verb
  • America, meet the Orb: a bold new attempt to verify you’re not a bot — just by looking you in the eye.
    Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 2 May 2025
  • Almost 82,000 also provided data from activity trackers that allowed researchers to verify their speed.
    Simon Spichak, Health, 2 May 2025
Verb
  • Ramaphosa and other defenders of the Expropriation Act have argued that the policies are needed to reverse the nation’s apartheid-era legacy of disparities in land ownership.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 11 May 2025
  • Opponents argue the laws sanction discrimination and the exclusion of a vulnerable minority group and that rhetoric produced in these debates can stigmatize the transgender community.
    Sam Gringlas, NPR, 10 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vindicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vindicate. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

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