exonerate

[ ig-zon-uh-reyt ]
See synonyms for: exonerateexoneratedexoneratesexoneration on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),ex·on·er·at·ed, ex·on·er·at·ing.
  1. to clear, as of an accusation; free from guilt or blame; exculpate: He was exonerated from the accusation of cheating.

  2. to relieve, as from an obligation, duty, or task.

Origin of exonerate

1
First recorded in 1515–25; late Middle English, from Latin exonerātus (past participle of exonerāre “to unburden, discharge”), equivalent to ex- “out of, from; thoroughly” + oner- (stem of onus ) “a burden” + -ātus past participle suffix; see ex-1, -ate1

synonym study For exonerate

1. See absolve.

Other words for exonerate

Opposites for exonerate

Other words from exonerate

  • ex·on·er·a·tion [ig-zon-uh-rey-shuhn], /ɪgˌzɒn əˈreɪ ʃən/, noun
  • ex·on·er·a·tive, adjective
  • ex·on·er·a·tor, noun
  • un·ex·on·er·a·tive, adjective

Words that may be confused with exonerate

Words Nearby exonerate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use exonerate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for exonerate

exonerate

/ (ɪɡˈzɒnəˌreɪt) /


verb(tr)
  1. to clear or absolve from blame or a criminal charge

  2. to relieve from an obligation or task; exempt

Origin of exonerate

1
C16: from Latin exonerāre to free from a burden, from onus a burden

Derived forms of exonerate

  • exoneration, noun
  • exonerative, adjective
  • exonerator, noun

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