exonerate

[ig-zon-uh-reyt]

verb (used with object), ex·on·er·at·ed, ex·on·er·at·ing.

to clear, as of an accusation; free from guilt or blame; exculpate: He was exonerated from the accusation of cheating.
to relieve, as from an obligation, duty, or task.

Origin of exonerate

1515–25; late Middle English < Latin exonerātus (past participle of exonerāre to unburden, discharge), equivalent to ex- ex-¹ + oner- (stem of onus) a burden + -ātus -ate¹

Related formsex·on·er·a·tion, nounex·on·er·a·tive, adjectiveex·on·er·a·tor, nounun·ex·on·er·at·ed, adjectiveun·ex·on·er·a·tive, adjective

Can be confusedexculpate exonerate inculpate

Synonyms for exonerate

1. vindicate. 2. release, discharge, free.

Synonym study

1. See absolve.

Antonyms for exonerate

1. blame.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for exonerated

acquit, vindicate, pardon, dismiss, absolve, exempt, discharge, justify, exculpate, relieve, whitewash, except, free, sanitize, release, liberate, disburden

Examples from the Web for exonerated

Contemporary Examples of exonerated

Vasquez, who has borderline ID, was exonerated in 1989, four years after his conviction.
How the U.S. Justice System Screws Prisoners with Disabilities
Elizabeth Picciuto
December 16, 2014
After spending four years in prison, both were exonerated by an appeals court in 2011.
Amanda Knox: A Mother’s Obsession
Nina Darnton
November 26, 2014
The hitch was that the genetic profile has to be removed from the database if the person is exonerated.
The Math That Keeps Helping College Rapists
Michael Daly
October 3, 2014
McCollum learned the truth only after nearly 30 years, as a result of the same DNA test that exonerated both brothers.
How the North Carolina GOP Made a Wrongfully Convicted Man a Death Row Scapegoat
Michael Daly
September 4, 2014
And at the same time, while I was developing that, I did a play called The Exonerated.
Tony Goldwyn Tackles Political Scandal Again on ‘The Divide’
Jason Lynch
July 16, 2014

Historical Examples of exonerated

It was a trick of the trade, which exonerated him from the necessity of apologizing.
Roden's Corner
Henry Seton Merriman
He saw how baseless his hope had been, and he exonerated her from all blame.
A Spoil of Office
Hamlin Garland
Unless you hear from me further you are exonerated from blame.
Marjorie Dean High School Freshman
Pauline Lester
I am glad that you have exonerated Miss Stevens from all suspicion.
Marjorie Dean High School Freshman
Pauline Lester
He exonerated the Missionaries from every shadow of blame and from all responsibility.
The Story of John G. Paton
James Paton

British Dictionary definitions for exonerated

exonerate

verb (tr)

to clear or absolve from blame or a criminal charge
to relieve from an obligation or task; exempt

Derived Formsexoneration, nounexonerative, adjectiveexonerator, noun

Word Origin for exonerate

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for exonerated

exonerate

mid-15c., from Latin exoneratus, past participle of exonerare "remove a burden, discharge, unload," from ex- "off" (see ex-) + onerare "to unload; overload, oppress," from onus (genitive oneris) "burden" (see onus). Related: Exonerated; exonerating.