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exculpatory

[ ik-skuhl-puh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]

/ ɪkˈskʌl pəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR exculpatory ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

tending to clear from a charge of fault or guilt.

Nearby words

Origin of exculpatory

First recorded in 1770–80; exculpate + -ory¹

Related formsnon·ex·cul·pa·to·ry, adjective

Can be confusedexculpatory inculpatory

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for exculpatory

By the way, more has happened this week on the exculpatory front.
Why Can't "No Scandal" Be Big News?|Michael Tomasky|August 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Understanding the neurophysiology of the brain, therefore, would seem to be as exculpatory as finding a tumor in it.
Is Free Will an Illusion? Sam Harris on His New Book|Sam Harris|March 2, 2012|DAILY BEAST
None of that evidence is dispositive--but it is certainly not exculpatory either.
Rick Perry's Track Record on Race|Paul Begala|October 4, 2011|DAILY BEAST
But the justice done to Edgar she gloried in, as an apology for her feelings, and exculpatory of her weakness.
Camilla|Fanny Burney

As for her refusal to listen to the rest of his story, the important part, the exculpatory part—it was monstrously unjust.
The Price of Love|Arnold Bennett
The situation was well beyond speech, any exculpatory speech of Ballard's, but there was still an opportunity for deeds.
The King of Arcadia|Francis Lynde
The outcry against Guarini on this occasion was so great that he found himself obliged to put forth an exculpatory statement.
The Library Magazine of Select Foreign Literature|Various
Reflections, indignant or exculpatory, on the conduct of the French in this Business are useless to Friedrich, and to us.
History of Friedrich II. of Prussia, Vol. XV. (of XXI.)|Thomas Carlyle

Word Origin and History for exculpatory

exculpatory

adj.

1780s, from exculpate + -ory.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper