vindicate

American  

[vin-di-keyt] / ˈvɪn dɪˌkeɪt /

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.

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vindicate British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of vindicate

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

Example Sentences

Farmer said she feels vindicated after nearly 30 years.

From BBC

Mr. Green’s critique of “Official Ireland” is vindicated—and welcome like desert in the water in these parts.

From The Wall Street Journal

But for mothers who feel unjustly cut off, building a public platform to speak can be healing, helping them gain support and, in some cases, feel vindicated.

From The Wall Street Journal

Criticized by Yankee pacifists for resorting to violence, Clay replied, “how then can you ask me to go unarmed and yet manfully vindicate those doctrines which every where have been denounced with death?”

From The Wall Street Journal

Only a win vindicates the Canberra decision and can ensure a peaceful holiday in Noosa after the Test.

From BBC

Related Words

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