vindicatory
Proving one right
Vindicatory means serving to vindicate—to clear someone of blame or suspicion, or to justify a position or action.
A vindicatory statement defends against accusation; vindicatory evidence proves someone was right all along.
The word can also mean punitive or avenging, though this sense is rarer: vindicatory justice.
The adjective is formal and somewhat literary.
Punishing a wrongdoer
- retaliationPunitive response to injury
- reprisalPunitive action in return
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
nemesis · comeuppance · requital · counterstroke · blood feud · vendetta · settling scores · getting even
Official clearing of blame
- acquittalFormal clearing of charges
- exculpationClearing from fault
- clearingTreeless space in forest
- absolutionFormal clearing of guilt
innocence · not guilty · rehabilitation · wrongful conviction · overturned verdict · DNA evidence · appeal · pardon
Reason proving rightness
- defenseProtection against harm
- rationaleStated basis for action
- explanationStatement making something clear
- validationConfirming truth or accuracy
legitimization · substantiation · warrant · grounds · reasoning · argumentation · corroboration · evidence
Penalty for an offense
- penaltyPunishment for wrongdoing
- sanctionApproval or punitive measure
- sentenceComplete thought, grammatically
- castigationSevere verbal criticism
chastisement · correction · discipline · condemnation · reprimand · censure · rebuke · reproof
Compensation for injury done
- restitutionRestoring what was lost
- compensationPayment for services rendered
- amendsCompensation for wrongdoing
- remedyCurative treatment or fix
rectification · indemnification · settlement · recompense · satisfaction · atonement · restoration · making whole
Concerning right conduct
- ethicalConforming to moral principles
- principledHaving strong moral beliefs
- uprightVertical or morally sound
- honorableHaving high moral standards
virtuous · just · fair · integrity · righteous indignation · moral high ground · conscientious · scrupulous
revenge
Punishing a wrongdoer
- retaliationPunitive response to injury
- reprisalPunitive action in return
- paybackRetaliation for wrongs
retribution · nemesis · comeuppance · requital · counterstroke · blood feud · vendetta · settling scores · getting even · eye for an eye
exoneration
Official clearing of blame
- acquittalFormal clearing of charges
- exculpationClearing from fault
- clearingTreeless space in forest
absolution · innocence · not guilty · rehabilitation · wrongful conviction · overturned verdict · DNA evidence · appeal · pardon
justification
Reason proving rightness
- defenseProtection against harm
- rationaleStated basis for action
- explanationStatement making something clear
validation · legitimization · substantiation · warrant · grounds · reasoning · argumentation · corroboration · evidence · proof
punishment
Penalty for an offense
- penaltyPunishment for wrongdoing
- sanctionApproval or punitive measure
- sentenceComplete thought, grammatically
castigation · chastisement · correction · discipline · condemnation · reprimand · censure · rebuke · reproof · admonition
reparation
Compensation for injury done
- restitutionRestoring what was lost
- compensationPayment for services rendered
- amendsCompensation for wrongdoing
remedy · rectification · indemnification · settlement · recompense · satisfaction · atonement · restoration · making whole · damages
moral
Concerning right conduct
- ethicalConforming to moral principles
- principledHaving strong moral beliefs
- uprightVertical or morally sound
honorable · virtuous · just · fair · integrity · righteous indignation · moral high ground · conscientious · scrupulous · incorruptible
vindicatoryaccusatory
Expressing blame or fault
inculpatory · condemnatory · incriminating · damning · blaming
vindicatoryrehabilitative
Promoting return to health
restorative · reformative · therapeutic · unjust · corrective