VINDICATE

Vindicate is a verb meaning to clear someone of blame or suspicion, or to demonstrate that a claim, right, or principle is true or justified. In legal contexts, to vindicate a defendant means to clear them of guilt, typically through evidence, testimony, or an authoritative ruling. More generally, to vindicate a position is to provide proof or argument that it is valid despite criticism or doubt.

Etymology: Vindicate derives from Latin vindicare "to claim, defend, or avenge," via Old French vindicier and Middle English into modern English. The sense related to freeing from accusation developed over time into the current usage of showing something is true or justified.

Usage notes: Vindicate is often followed by an object (to vindicate someone, a claim, a theory, a right) and can be used in transitive contexts. It is closely related to exonerate (to absolve from blame) and to justify (to prove to be right). The noun form is vindication, describing the act of vindicating or the condition of being vindicated; the adjective form is vindicated.

See also: vindication, exoneration, justification.