exculpate

American  

[ek-skuhl-peyt, ik-skuhl-peyt] / ˈɛk skʌlˌpeɪt, ɪkˈskʌl peɪt /

verb (used with object)

exculpates, present (3rd person singular) exculpated, past participle, past exculpating present participle

1. to clear from a charge of guilt or fault; free from blame; vindicate.

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exculpate British  

/ ɪkˈskʌlpəbəl, ɪkˈskʌlpeɪt, ˈɛkskʌlˌpeɪt /

verb

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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonexculpable
  adverb
• exculpable
  adjective
• exculpatory
  adjective
• unexculpated
  adjective
• unexculpable
  adjective
• exculpation
  noun

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has exculpated
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have exculpated
  perfect
• have been exculpating
  perfect progressive
• has been exculpating
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• is exculpating
  progressive 3rd person singular
• exculpating
  participle
• exculpates
  singular 3rd person
• am exculpating
  progressive 1st person singular
• are exculpating
  progressive

Past

• had exculpated
  perfect
• were exculpating
  progressive plural
• was exculpating
  progressive singular
• had been exculpating
  perfect progressive
• exculpated
  simple
• exculpated
  participle

Future

• will exculpate
  simple
• will have exculpated
  perfect
• will be exculpating
  progressive
• will have been exculpating
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of exculpate

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

Explanation

To exculpate means to find someone not guilty of criminal charges. If you've been wrongly accused of robbery, you'd better hope a judge will exculpate you, unless you want to go to jail because you've heard prison food is amazing. Exculpate comes from two Latin words: ex-, meaning "from," and culpa, meaning "blame." Exculpate is similar in meaning to exonerate. When you exonerate someone, you clear a person of an accusation and any suspicion that goes along with it. Exculpate usually refers more directly to clearing the charges against someone. So if that judge exculpates you from the robbery charge, everyone in town might still think you did it. Get him to exculpate and exonerate you.

Example Sentences

The documentary includes an interview with a whistleblower who claimed bosses told him to doctor evidence to exculpate the agency in the death of Hernández Rojas.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 9, 2026

Nobody doubts that a clever jurist with a dictionary and a truckload of motivated reasoning can use the law to exculpate himself and inculpate others.

From Slate • Jun. 26, 2023

“It does not vary either to exculpate on the basis of the actor’s unusual callousness or to condemn for outraging an excessively delicate relative of the deceased,” Rennie wrote, citing the Model Penal Code.

From Seattle Times • May 24, 2022

But “the photos are not proof of my father being in Sobibor and may even exculpate him once forensically examined.”

From Washington Times • Jan. 28, 2020

He was politely received by that officer, but informed that he must consider himself a prisoner until he could exculpate himself before the Governor in person, at Accomac.

From The Cavaliers of Virginia or, The Recluse of Jamestown. Vol. II by Caruthers, William A. (Alexander)