exonerate

[ig-zon-uh-reyt]

verb (used with object)

exonerated, exonerating 

1. to clear, as of an accusation; free from guilt or blame; exculpate.

   He was exonerated from the accusation of cheating.

   Synonyms: vindicate
   Antonyms: blame

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

   Synonyms: free, discharge, release

exonerate

/ ɪɡˈzɒnəˌreɪt /

verb

1. to clear or absolve from blame or a criminal charge

2. to relieve from an obligation or task; exempt

Other Word Forms

• exoneration noun
• exonerative adjective
• exonerator noun
• unexonerative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exonerate¹

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; ex- ¹, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of exonerate¹

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

Synonym Study

See absolve.

Example Sentences

They were exonerated more than a decade later through DNA evidence and a confession from the true assailant.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Hank’s not wrong that a man in his defensive crouch can’t exonerate himself.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The effort to exonerate him was led in part by the Los Angeles Innocence Project and the California Forensic Science Institute at Cal State LA.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The toxicology screen had “completely exonerated” Cervantes, the filing said, but the police department had already “released false information to the press claiming that Senator Cervantes had driven while under the influence of drugs.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Four federal investigations and a grand jury probe later, Baltimore’s colleague, and Baltimore himself, were exonerated.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• absolve 
• acquit 
• discharge 
• dismiss 
• exempt 
• justify 
• pardon 
• vindicate