exculpates
Proves not guilty
Exculpates means clears of blame or proves innocent.
To exculpate someone is to free them from accusation or suspicion of wrongdoing: The DNA evidence exculpated the defendant after fifteen years in prison.
The word carries a formal, legal tone—you're more likely to hear it in courtrooms than casual conversation.
Officially clears of blame
- vindicatesProves innocence or correctness
- absolvesDeclares someone not guilty
- clearsRemoves or vindicates
- acquitsDeclares legally innocent
not guilty · verdict · discharge · dismissal · dropped charges · reprieve · release · acquittal
Defense of location
- defenseProtection against harm
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- witnessOne who attests
plea · rebuttal · argument · counterargument · mitigation · extenuation · justification · explanation
Free of wrongdoing
- guiltlessNot at fault
- innocentFree from moral wrong
- cleanFree of soil
- unblemishedFree from any defect
untainted · spotless · faultless · irreproachable · above suspicion · cleared · vindicated · mistaken identity
Judicial examination of claims
- juryLegal decision-making body
- verdictOfficial court decision
- attorneyLicensed legal representative
- lawyerLicensed legal representative
prosecution · arraignment · indictment · defendant · judge · courtroom · appeal · acquittal
exonerates
Officially clears of blame
- vindicatesProves innocence or correctness
- absolvesDeclares someone not guilty
- clearsRemoves or vindicates
acquits · not guilty · verdict · discharge · dismissal · dropped charges · reprieve · release · acquittal · exoneration
alibi
Defense of location
witness · plea · rebuttal · argument · counterargument · mitigation · extenuation · justification · explanation · reasoning
blameless
Free of wrongdoing
unblemished · untainted · spotless · faultless · irreproachable · above suspicion · cleared · vindicated · mistaken identity · innocence
trial
Judicial examination of claims
lawyer · prosecution · arraignment · indictment · defendant · judge · courtroom · appeal · acquittal · case dismissed
exculpatesinculpates
Shows guilt of
incriminates · convicts · condemns · blames · implicates
- exculpatory evidenceProof of innocence
exculpate, exculpatory, exculpation, exculpated, exculpating, exculpations