exonerate
Americanverb
-
to clear or absolve from blame or a criminal charge
-
to relieve from an obligation or task; exempt
Related Words
See absolve.
Other Word Forms
- exoneration noun
- exonerative adjective
- exonerator noun
- unexonerative adjective
Etymology
Origin of exonerate
First recorded in 1515–25; late Middle English, from Latin exonerātus (past participle of exonerāre “to unburden, discharge”), equivalent to ex- “out of, from; thoroughly” + oner- (stem of onus ) “a burden” + -ātus past participle suffix; ex- 1, -ate 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He also told supporters at the time he intends to “fight” the charges and predicted, “I’m gonna be exonerated.”
From Los Angeles Times
“He looks forward to the legal process and upon full investigation, we are confident Mr. Addison will be exonerated.”
From Los Angeles Times
Nunez’s attorneys, Deputy Federal Public Defenders Rebecca Harris and David Menninger, said they were pleased the jury exonerated their client.
From Los Angeles Times
"Their arrest, prosecution and conviction for harassment were an egregious affront on those rights and they are delighted to have finally been exonerated."
From BBC
Only in 1906, after many twists, did the high court of appeal overturn the original verdict, exonerating Dreyfus.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
