vindicates
Clears of blame
Vindicates means to clear of blame or suspicion, or to prove justified: The DNA evidence vindicates the defendant.
Someone vindicated has been shown to be right after being doubted or accused: Time vindicated her unpopular decision.
The word carries a sense of triumph—not just being correct, but being proven correct when others disagreed.
Declares legally innocent
- exoneratesOfficially clears of blame
- clearsRemoves or vindicates
- absolvesDeclares someone not guilty
- exculpatesProves innocent of wrongdoing
defendant · verdict · innocence · wrongful conviction · appeal · court · judgment · charges dropped
Provides adequate grounds for
- upholdsSupports or affirms
- confirmsEstablishes as fact
- supportsSustains or reinforces
- defendsActs to protect
reputation · integrity · character · redemption · truth revealed · righteousness · validation · dignity
acquits
Declares legally innocent
- exoneratesOfficially clears of blame
- clearsRemoves or vindicates
- absolvesDeclares someone not guilty
exculpates · defendant · verdict · innocence · wrongful conviction · appeal · court · judgment · charges dropped · not guilty
justifies
Provides adequate grounds for
defends · reputation · integrity · character · redemption · truth revealed · righteousness · validation · dignity · good name
validates
Confirms accuracy or legitimacy
- justifiesProvides adequate grounds for
- decisionSettled course of action
- policyAdopted principle of action
approach · strategy · foresight · prediction · bet · gamble · risk · choice · course of action · method
vindicatescondemns
Expresses severe disapproval
convicts · blames · incriminates · damns · accuses
vindicatesrefutes
Proves something false
disproves · invalidates · discredits · debunks · contradicts
vindicate, vindication, vindicated, vindicating, vindicator, vindicators