EXONERATE Synonyms: 29 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'exonerate' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of exonerate are absolve , acquit , exculpate , and vindicate . While all these words mean "to free from a charge," exonerate implies a complete clearance from an accusation or charge and from any attendant suspicion of blame or guilt. // exonerated by the investigation

Q: When could 'absolve' be used to replace 'exonerate'?

In some situations, the words absolve and exonerate are roughly equivalent. However, 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

Q: In what contexts can 'acquit' take the place of 'exonerate'?

Although the words acquit and exonerate have much in common, acquit implies a formal decision in one's favor with respect to a definite charge. // voted to acquit the defendant

Q: When is it sensible to use 'exculpate' instead of 'exonerate'?

The meanings of exculpate and exonerate 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

Q: When would 'vindicate' be a good substitute for 'exonerate'?

The synonyms vindicate and exonerate are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

exonerate

verb

ig-ˈzä-nə-ˌrāt

Definition of exonerate next

as in to acquit

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb exonerate differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of exonerate are absolve, acquit, exculpate, and vindicate. While all these words mean "to free from a charge," exonerate implies a complete clearance from an accusation or charge and from any attendant suspicion of blame or guilt.

exonerated by the investigation

When could absolve be used to replace exonerate?

In some situations, the words absolve and exonerate are roughly equivalent. However, 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 exonerate?

Although the words acquit and exonerate have much in common, acquit implies a formal decision in one's favor with respect to a definite charge.

voted to acquit the defendant

When is it sensible to use exculpate instead of exonerate?

The meanings of exculpate and exonerate 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 vindicate be a good substitute for exonerate?

The synonyms vindicate and exonerate are sometimes interchangeable, but 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

Examples 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 exonerate The big picture: Rice, 30, is one of more than four dozen people exonerated in Philadelphia since 2016, per the federal lawsuit filed last month. —

Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 16 Oct. 2024 Sing Sing activist Jon-Adrian Velazquez was exonerated more than 20 years after a retired NYPD officer’s murder. —

Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 1 Oct. 2024 According to the Innocence Project, his lawyers argued that the trial prosecutor had contaminated DNA evidence that could have exonerated Williams. —

Melissa Noel, Essence, 25 Sep. 2024 Bailey fought Bell’s efforts to get Williams’ conviction vacated, saying new DNA test results would not exonerate Williams. —

Cindy Von Quednow, CNN, 24 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for exonerate