vindication

American  

[vin-di-key-shuhn] / ˌvɪn dɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of vindicating.

2. the state of being vindicated.

3. defense; excuse; justification.

   Poverty was a vindication for his thievery.

4. something that vindicates.

   Subsequent events were her vindication.

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vindication British  

/ ˌvɪndɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of vindicating or the condition of being vindicated

2. a means of exoneration from an accusation

3. a fact, evidence, circumstance, etc, that serves to vindicate a theory or claim

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Other Word Forms

• nonvindication noun
• revindication noun
• self-vindication noun

Etymology

Origin of vindication

First recorded in 1475–85; from Latin vindicātiōn-, stem of vindicātiō “defense, punishment, vengeance”; equivalent to vindicate + -ion

Example Sentences

But for her, being recognized for “Song Sung Blue” isn’t some long-awaited vindication.

From Los Angeles Times

Some people wanted to see Simpson punished, while others viewed his acquittal as vindication, however meager, for decades’ worth of societal abuse.

From Salon

But that authenticity was also palpable in Martin’s performance on Sunday — a vindication for all the years his mother tongue was manipulated in the mainstream.

From Los Angeles Times

Although the show carried a message of unity and vindication of Latinos in general, the artist sang from and for Puerto Rico.

From BBC

The performance is a vindication for the 64-year-old conservative, who called the risky snap vote during a snowy Japanese winter only three months after taking office.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• exoneration
• proof
• revenge