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Synonyms

exonerate

American  
[ig-zon-uh-reyt] / ɪgˈzɒn əˌreɪt /

verb (used with object)

exonerated, exonerating

  1. to clear, as of an accusation; free from guilt or blame; exculpate.

    He was exonerated from the accusation of cheating.
    Synonyms:
    vindicate
    Antonyms:
    blame

  2. to relieve, as from an obligation, duty, or task.

    Synonyms:
    free, discharge, release
exonerate British  
/ ɪɡˈzɒnəˌreɪt /

verb

  1. to clear or absolve from blame or a criminal charge

  2. to relieve from an obligation or task; exempt

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

Our attention then returns to the original flashpoint in a way that should, in some respects, exonerate Glaude’s teacher.

From Salon • Oct. 22, 2025

The majority, he warned, was inviting an endless wave of litigation over evidence that could never truly exonerate a person under Texas law.

From Slate • Jun. 26, 2025

Just because “Hinch said he was wrong” in not doing anything to stop the 2017 Astros from cheating does not exonerate him.

From Los Angeles Times • May 10, 2025

The Scottish Parliament introduced legislation to automatically exonerate victims, but in August some victims said they were still waiting for updates on whether they had been cleared or not.

From BBC • Sep. 17, 2024

“All you have to do is come up with a lie that will exonerate both Christina and Cara, and then tell it under truth serum.”

From "Allegiant" by Veronica Roth

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.