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exculpate

[ ek-skuhl-peyt, ik-skuhl-peyt ]
/ ˈɛk skʌlˌpeɪt, ɪkˈskʌl peɪt /
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See synonyms for: exculpate / exculpated / exculpation on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), ex·cul·pat·ed, ex·cul·pat·ing.
to clear from a charge of guilt or fault; free from blame; vindicate.
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Origin of exculpate

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin exculpātus “freed from blame,” equivalent to ex- ex-1 + culpātus “blamed” (past participle of culpāre; see culpable)

OTHER WORDS FROM exculpate

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH exculpate

exculpate , exonerate, inculpate
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use exculpate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for exculpate

exculpate
/ (ˈɛkskʌlˌpeɪt, ɪkˈskʌlpeɪt) /

verb
(tr) to free from blame or guilt; vindicate or exonerate

Derived forms of exculpate

exculpable (ɪkˈskʌlpəbəl), adjectiveexculpation, nounexculpatory, adjective

Word Origin for exculpate

C17: from Medieval Latin exculpāre, from Latin ex- 1 + culpāre to blame, from culpa fault, blame
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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