exonerate

[ ig-zon-uh-reyt ]

/ ɪgˈzɒn əˌreɪt /

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.

Nearby words

exogenous hyperglyceridemia, exome, exomphalos, exon, exonarthex, exonerate, exoneration, exonuclease, exonumia, exonumist, exonym

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

SYNONYMS FOR exonerate

1 vindicate.

2 release, discharge, free.

ANTONYMS FOR exonerate

1 blame.

Related forms

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

un·ex·on·er·a·tive, adjective

Can be confusedexculpate exonerate inculpate

Synonym study

1. See absolve.

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

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
By standing bail, General Bragg gave a most positive proof that he exonerated Grenfell from any malpractices.
Three Months in the Southern States, April-June 1863|Arthur J. L. (Lieut.-Col.) Fremantle
He has exonerated himself, and no doubt, when confronted with Hervey, will be able to silence that blackguard.
The Green Mummy|Fergus Hume
She could not have wished it the reverse; she was exonerated.
Diana of the Crossways, Complete|George Meredith
He must be exonerated; his reputation must emerge without a stain.
The Bail Jumper|Robert J. C. Stead
All wages are explained, and low wages are exonerated, on what seems to be an undeniable ground of fact.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock

British Dictionary definitions for exonerated

exonerate

/ (ɪɡˈzɒnəˌreɪt) /

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.

exonerate

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

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Nearby words

Origin of exonerate

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for exonerated

British Dictionary definitions for exonerated

exonerate

verb (tr)

Word Origin for exonerate

Word Origin and History for exonerated

exonerate