exculpate

American  

[ek-skuhl-peyt, ik-skuhl-peyt] / ˈɛk skʌlˌpeɪt, ɪkˈskʌl peɪt /

verb (used with object)

exculpated, exculpating

1. to clear from a charge of guilt or fault; free from blame; vindicate.

---

exculpate British  

/ ɪkˈskʌlpəbəl, ɪkˈskʌlpeɪt, ˈɛkskʌlˌpeɪt /

verb

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

---

Other Word Forms

• exculpable adjective
• exculpation noun
• exculpatory adjective
• nonexculpable adverb
• unexculpable adjective
• unexculpated adjective

Etymology

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; culpable )

Example Sentences

After catching a boat to Chicago, Higgins hypothesized to reporters that the trip through the Straits of Mackinac caused ice to cut the hull; his explanation helped him exculpate his employers.

From Washington Times • Sep. 2, 2023

Nobody doubts that a clever jurist with a dictionary and a truckload of motivated reasoning can use the law to exculpate himself and inculpate others.

From Slate • Jun. 26, 2023

He devises a daring, sometimes distracting but ultimately inspired format by saving his commentary for footnotes that contextualize, teasingly contradict and occasionally exculpate Rodgers from her unsparing self-assessments.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2022

“It does not vary either to exculpate on the basis of the actor’s unusual callousness or to condemn for outraging an excessively delicate relative of the deceased,” Rennie wrote, citing the Model Penal Code.

From Seattle Times • May 24, 2022

Of the manner of this gentleman's death she knows nothing, but in regard to your preceding conduct she does anything but exculpate you.

From Corse de Leon, Volume I (of 2) or, The Brigand; a Romance by James, G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford)