exculpation

American  

[ek-skuhl-pey-shuhn] / ˌɛk skʌlˈpeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. clearance from a charge of guilt or fault; vindication.

   A biological or environmental explanation for a criminal act does not translate into exculpation of the individual.

2. legal protection from charges of guilt or fault.

   Each commissioner and officer shall be entitled to exculpation from liability and to indemnification by the District to the extent set forth in the Act.

---

Other Word Forms

• nonexculpation noun
• self-exculpation noun

Etymology

Origin of exculpation

exculp(ate) ( def. ) + -ation ( def. )

Example Sentences

This lack of empathy revealed a man focused only on his own exculpation.

From The Guardian

To get a letter of exculpation, O’Brien agrees to take a lie-detector test.

From New York Times

But his feeble attempts at exculpation were not working.

From The Guardian

It was not sworn testimony, but an autobiography with all the self-flattery and exculpation associated with that genre.

From The Guardian

Themes of guilt, exculpation, and purpose, run through the story line.

From Washington Post