vindicate

[vin-di-keyt]

verb (used with object)

vindicated, vindicating 

1. to clear, as from an accusation, imputation, suspicion, or the like.

   to vindicate someone's honor.

   Synonyms: exonerate

2. to afford justification for; justify.

   Subsequent events vindicated his policy.

3. to uphold or justify by argument or evidence.

   to vindicate a claim.

   Synonyms: substantiate

4. to assert, maintain, or defend (a right, cause, etc.) against opposition.

   Synonyms: substantiate

5. to claim for oneself or another.

6. Roman and Civil Law.,  to regain possession, under claim of title of property through legal procedure, or to assert one's right to possession.

7. to get revenge for; avenge.

8. Obsolete.,  to deliver from; liberate.

9. Obsolete.,  to punish.

vindicate

/ ˈvɪndɪˌkeɪt /

verb

1. to clear from guilt, accusation, blame, etc, as by evidence or argument

2. to provide justification for

   his promotion vindicated his unconventional attitude

3. to uphold, maintain, or defend (a cause, etc)

   to vindicate a claim

4. Roman law to bring an action to regain possession of (property) under claim of legal title

5. rare,  to claim, as for oneself or another

6. obsolete,  to take revenge on or for; punish

7. obsolete,  to set free

Other Word Forms

• vindicator noun
• vindicatory adjective
• revindicate verb (used with object)
• self-vindicated adjective
• self-vindicating adjective
• unvindicated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vindicate¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin vindicātus (past participle of vindicāre “to lay legal claim to (property); to free (someone) from servitude (by claiming him as free); to protect, avenge, punish),“ equivalent to vindic- (stem of vindex “claimant, protector, avenger”) + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of vindicate¹

C17: from Latin vindicāre, from vindex claimant

Example Sentences

Speaking to reporters, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said Farage hadn't "done the homework" ahead of his announcement, adding it vindicated her approach of taking more time to "get the policies right".

From BBC

Those close to him believe that Ngumoha's chances so far have vindicated his decision to move.

From BBC

"I categorically reject the allegations against me and maintain that I have never acted unlawfully. I am confident that, once the facts are tested in court, I will be vindicated and my innocence confirmed."

From BBC

“At last, he was standing alone: the artist vindicated,” Hilburn wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

Kiley said in a post on the social media site X that he expected his district to stay the same because voters would “defeat Newsom’s sham initiative and vindicate the will of California voters.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• absolve 
• acquit 
• corroborate 
• defend 
• disprove 
• exonerate 
• justify 
• prove 
• refute 
• substantiate 
• uphold