1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

vindication

noun

ˌvin-də-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce vindication (audio)
Definition of vindicationnext
as in pardon
a setting free from a charge of wrongdoing recanted testimony that resulted in a long-overdue vindication

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 vindication If Springfield eventually provides the $150 million, the majority will claim vindication. — Angel Gutierrez, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026 Still, that 104th and final game capped a biggest-ever tournament seen as a vindication for the FIFA president — a consensus success on the field and a financial bonanza for global soccer. — Graham Dunbar, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026 Recounting the acquittal, Sam suggests Paul’s vindication wasn’t rooted so much in the truth as in the limits of the criminal justice system. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 22 July 2026 Bryan Sullivan, a lawyer for Jonasi, called the decision a vindication of his client’s right to free speech. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for vindication
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vindication
  1. pardon
  2. clearing
  3. forgiveness
  4. acquittal
  5. exoneration
Noun
  • Asked for comment, a White House official said presidential pardons apply only to federal convictions.
    — Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 8 Sep. 2026
  • But Lindsay's facing state charges, so a presidential pardon isn't an option here.
    — Kristina Rex, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of pardon
Noun
  • Sonil Jain, Co-founder of Sowtex and ReMaterial, noted that for a fabric exporter trading with Russia, Brazil, or the UAE, there were many possible benefits, including cheaper, faster B2B settlements without dollar-clearing fees destroying margins.
    — Mayu Saini, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026
  • With about 2 1/2 minutes left in the first period against Montreal, Björck lost the draw, but stayed in position above the play and covered for teammate Alexandre Taillefer when the defenceman bobbled a Canadiens clearing attempt.
    — Murat Ates, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of clearing
Noun
  • When Fyodor drags himself on the floor, begging for forgiveness or a bit more money to play roulette, the gesture straddles the line between humor and intense discomfort — veering into cringe comedy.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
  • This is given an almost mystical significance, made all the more ridiculous when an actual priest gives a sermon using the brothers as an object lesson in the value of forgiveness.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of forgiveness
Noun
  • Although the circumstantial case against Lizzie was strong, a lack of physical evidence ultimately helped win her an acquittal.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Sep. 2026
  • On Thursday, suggesting the judge’s words to the jury were too weak, Reddington wanted the stubborn juror tossed out – likely in the hopes of an acquittal.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of acquittal
Noun
  • Experts told me some prosecutors around the country were using the obscure plea as a tool to thwart exonerations.
    — Megan Rose, ProPublica, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The office has also argued that the 2024 appellate ruling did not equate to an exoneration that warranted completely vacating Stubblefield’s conviction and sentence.
    — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of exoneration

Browse Nearby Words

vindicating
vindication
vindications
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vindication.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vindication. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of aggrandize

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 18
See More

Popular

See More

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
crayons-in-a-circle
Guess the Color Quiz Questions that use the whole box of crayons.
See All