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 The election outcome vindicated party leader Jarosław Kaczyński’s strategy, but on Monday many were also blaming the increasingly unpopular Tusk and Trzaskowski. Nawrocki has most recently been the head of the Institute of National Remembrance, which embraces nationalist historical narratives. Vanessa Gera, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025 To some, the shift may vindicate Trump's America First strategy — a sign that pressuring allies to increase defense spending is working. Scott Neuman, NPR, 4 June 2025 The rabbi was then falsely accused of stalking and was later vindicated, with the accusers being ordered to pay for his $182,000 legal bills. Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 29 May 2025 If the founding history of this country is any guide, those who stood up in court to vindicate constitutional rights and, by so doing, served to promote the rule of law, will be the models lauded when this period of American history is written. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for vindicate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vindicate
Verb
  • Karen Read was acquitted Wednesday of the most serious charges in the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe.
    Matt Schooley, CBS News, 19 June 2025
  • She was arrested, jailed - and ultimately acquitted last month.
    Lauren Frayer, NPR, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • Ralphs’ death was confirmed in a statement from his representative, though no exact date or cause of death was given.
    August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025
  • The deal, however, wasn’t immediately publicly confirmed by either the Iranian or Israeli governments, and the missiles kept flying.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • The confusion highlights the difficulty of verifying information on social media.
    Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
  • One person attempting to enroll in the L.A. Community College District came to an in-person meeting to verify their identity and presented a California driver’s license with the weight listed in kilograms, said Nicole Albo-Lopez, the deputy chancellor of LACCD.
    Kaitlyn Huamani, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Democrats, led by Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, had argued that in recent decades Congress gradually surrendered war-making powers to the president.
    Robert Jimison, New York Times, 28 June 2025
  • Justice Amy Coney Barrett argued only the Supreme Court can provide such universal relief.
    Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Vindicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vindicate. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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