exculpate

[ ek-skuhl-peyt, ik-skuhl-peyt ]
See synonyms for: exculpateexculpatedexculpation on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),ex·cul·pat·ed, ex·cul·pat·ing.
  1. to clear from a charge of guilt or fault; free from blame; vindicate.

Origin of exculpate

1
First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin exculpātus “freed from blame,” equivalent to ex- ex-1 + culpātus “blamed” (past participle of culpāre; see culpable)

Other words from exculpate

  • ex·cul·pa·ble [ik-skuhl-puh-buhl], /ɪkˈskʌl pə bəl/, adjective
  • ex·cul·pa·tion, noun
  • non·ex·cul·pa·ble, adverb
  • un·ex·cul·pa·ble, adjective
  • un·ex·cul·pat·ed, adjective

Words that may be confused with exculpate

Words Nearby exculpate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use exculpate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for exculpate

exculpate

/ (ˈɛkskʌlˌpeɪt, ɪkˈskʌlpeɪt) /


verb
  1. (tr) to free from blame or guilt; vindicate or exonerate

Origin of exculpate

1
C17: from Medieval Latin exculpāre, from Latin ex- 1 + culpāre to blame, from culpa fault, blame

Derived forms of exculpate

  • exculpable (ɪkˈskʌlpəbəl), adjective
  • exculpation, noun
  • exculpatory, adjective

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