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exonerate

[ ig-zon-uh-reyt ]
/ ɪgˈzɒn əˌreɪt /
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See synonyms for: exonerate / exonerated / exonerates / exoneration on Thesaurus.com
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.
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Origin of exonerate

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 FROM exonerate

ex·on·er·a·tion [ig-zon-uh-rey-shuhn], /ɪgˌzɒn əˈreɪ ʃən/, nounex·on·er·a·tive, adjectiveex·on·er·a·tor, nounun·ex·on·er·a·tive, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH exonerate

exculpate, exonerate , inculpate
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to exonerate

absolve, acquit, discharge, dismiss, exempt, justify, pardon, vindicate, disburden, except, exculpate, free, liberate, release, relieve, sanitize, whitewash, let off, wipe the slate clean

How to use exonerate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for exonerate

exonerate
/ (ɪɡˈzɒnəˌreɪt) /
verb (tr)
to clear or absolve from blame or a criminal charge
to relieve from an obligation or task; exempt

Derived forms of exonerate

exoneration, 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
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