exonerates
Proves not guilty
Exonerates means to clear someone of blame, guilt, or responsibility.
When evidence exonerates a defendant, it proves they didn't commit the crime: DNA evidence exonerated the man after twenty years in prison.
The word implies formal or official clearing—courts exonerate, investigations exonerate.
More loosely, anything that removes suspicion exonerates: The timestamps on the security footage exonerated her.
Find not liable
- verdictOfficial court decision
- innocentFree from moral wrong
- not guiltyCleared of charges
- trialJudicial examination of claims
jury · evidence · courtroom · judge · defense · testimony · witness · alibi
Without obstruction or fog
- vindicateClear of wrongdoing
- exculpateClear of blame
- freeWithout payment or restriction
- releaseTo let go
discharge · pardon · forgive · redeem · justify · unburden · excuse · spare
Clear of wrongdoing
- rehabilitateReturn to good condition
- redemptionRecovery or moral restoration
- public apologyOpenly stated remorse
- retractionFormal withdrawal of statement
correction · reinstatement · credibility · character witness · defamation
acquit
Find not liable
- verdictOfficial court decision
- innocentFree from moral wrong
- not guiltyCleared of charges
trial · jury · evidence · courtroom · judge · defense · testimony · witness · alibi · attorney
clear
Without obstruction or fog
release · discharge · pardon · forgive · redeem · justify · unburden · excuse · spare · relieve
vindicate
Clear of wrongdoing
- rehabilitateReturn to good condition
- redemptionRecovery or moral restoration
- public apologyOpenly stated remorse
retraction · correction · reinstatement · credibility · character witness · defamation
- DNA exonerationFreedom through genetic proof
exonerate, exoneration, exonerated, exonerating, exonerations