vindicate

[vin-di-keyt]

verb (used with object)

vindicated, vindicating 

1. to clear, as from an accusation, imputation, suspicion, or the like.

   to vindicate someone's honor.

   Synonyms: exonerate

2. to afford justification for; justify.

   Subsequent events vindicated his policy.

3. to uphold or justify by argument or evidence.

   to vindicate a claim.

   Synonyms: substantiate

4. to assert, maintain, or defend (a right, cause, etc.) against opposition.

   Synonyms: substantiate

5. to claim for oneself or another.

6. Roman and Civil Law.,  to regain possession, under claim of title of property through legal procedure, or to assert one's right to possession.

7. to get revenge for; avenge.

8. Obsolete.,  to deliver from; liberate.

9. Obsolete.,  to punish.

vindicate

/ ˈvɪndɪˌkeɪt /

verb

1. to clear from guilt, accusation, blame, etc, as by evidence or argument

2. to provide justification for

   his promotion vindicated his unconventional attitude

3. to uphold, maintain, or defend (a cause, etc)

   to vindicate a claim

4. Roman law to bring an action to regain possession of (property) under claim of legal title

5. rare,  to claim, as for oneself or another

6. obsolete,  to take revenge on or for; punish

7. obsolete,  to set free

Other Word Forms

• vindicator noun
• revindicate verb (used with object)
• self-vindicated adjective
• self-vindicating adjective
• unvindicated adjective
• vindicatory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vindicate¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin vindicātus (past participle of vindicāre “to lay legal claim to (property); to free (someone) from servitude (by claiming him as free); to protect, avenge, punish),“ equivalent to vindic- (stem of vindex “claimant, protector, avenger”) + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of vindicate¹

C17: from Latin vindicāre, from vindex claimant

Example Sentences

Other nations - particularly those with most to gain from their continued production - felt vindicated.

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The war seemed to vindicate America’s bold experiment in democracy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

For Ali Salehpour, it felt somewhat vindicating to hear those words.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The complaint in Villanueva’s lawsuit filed in June said it was an “attempt to clear his name, vindicate his reputation, and be made whole for the emotional distress defendants’ actions have caused him.”

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The head coach's choice was once again vindicated.

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Related Words

• absolve 
• acquit 
• corroborate 
• defend 
• disprove 
• exonerate 
• justify 
• prove 
• refute 
• substantiate 
• uphold