exculpatory

American  

[ik-skuhl-puh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] / ɪkˈskʌl pəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

adjective

1. tending to clear from a charge of fault or guilt.

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Other Word Forms

• nonexculpatory adjective

Etymology

Origin of exculpatory

First recorded in 1770–80; exculpate + -ory ¹

Explanation

Does the blood on the kitchen knife not match that on the accused's clothes? That's exculpatory evidence: anything that clears someone or something of guilt or blame is exculpatory. Exculpatory comes from the Latin word exculpat, meaning "freed from blame." The verb exculpate means to free from guilt or blame. Both words are used most often in a legal or technical sense rather than in everyday conversation — unless of course you're trying to show off.

Example Sentences

That agreement also requires prosecutors to implement new policies to prevent the misuse of informants, maintain records and audits, and to disclose exculpatory evidence to criminal defendants involving snitches.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 17, 2025

Mayes also requested exculpatory evidence, as requested by defendant and former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows.

From Salon • Jan. 13, 2025

Next week, the Supreme Court will hear another capital case with strikingly similar facts: Oklahoma may execute Richard Glossip despite a mountain of exculpatory evidence undermining his conviction, and objections by the state attorney general.

From Slate • Sep. 30, 2024

Defense attorneys for Baldwin are urging the judge to dismiss the grand jury indictment, accusing prosecutors of “unfairly stacking the deck” in grand jury proceedings that diverted attention away from exculpatory evidence and witnesses.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 15, 2024

All of these recorded statements were typed, exculpatory, and favorable to Walter McMillian, and none of them had been disclosed to McMillian's attorneys, as was required.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson