VINDICATE Synonyms: 71 Similar and Opposite Words

vindicate

verb

ˈvin-də-ˌkāt

Definition of vindicate next

as in to acquit

to free from a charge of wrongdoing vowed that the evidence would completely vindicate him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to confirm

to give evidence or testimony to the truth or factualness of recent discoveries have generally vindicated the physicist's theories

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 That does not vindicate every policy in Warsaw. —

Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025 Reporters Tyler Kingkade and Ben Kamisar looked at a crusade to vindicate former president Richard Nixon. —

Christian Orozco, NBC news, 2 Dec. 2025 The moment was vindicating for the humanitarian and volunteer, who was the subject of one of a number of pageant scandals over the last few weeks. —

Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 21 Nov. 2025 Still, there’s a part of him that feels vindicated. —

Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 18 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for vindicate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for vindicate

Verb

Although acquitted, his name was brought forth as a potential suspect in the Black Dahlia case.

— Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
Unlike the current immigration raid protests, the governor of California at the time requested military aid to suppress unrest in Los Angeles after four white Los Angeles police officers were acquitted of beating Black motorist Rodney King.

— Kate Perez, USA Today, 15 Jan. 2026