exculpate

[ ek-skuhl-peyt, ik-skuhl-peyt ]

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.

exculpate

/ ɪkˈskʌlpəbəl; ɪkˈskʌlpeɪt; ˈɛkskʌlˌpeɪt /

verb

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

Derived Forms

• ˌexculˈpation, noun
• exˈculpatory, adjective
• exculpable, adjective

Other Words From

• ex·cul·pa·ble [ik-, skuhl, -p, uh, -b, uh, l], adjective
• ex·cul·pa·tion noun
• non·ex·cul·pa·ble adverb
• un·ex·cul·pa·ble adjective
• un·ex·cul·pat·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exculpate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of exculpate¹

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

Example Sentences

Many Spaniards are angered by the amnesty bill, which would exculpate politicians and activists who took part in an attempt to separate Catalonia from Spain that reached its apex in 2017.

From Reuters

An amnesty could exculpate as many as 1,400 activists and politicians involved in the attempt to separate Catalonia from Spain.

From Reuters

After catching a boat to Chicago, Higgins hypothesized to reporters that the trip through the Straits of Mackinac caused ice to cut the hull; his explanation helped him exculpate his employers.

From Washington Times

He devises a daring, sometimes distracting but ultimately inspired format by saving his commentary for footnotes that contextualize, teasingly contradict and occasionally exculpate Rodgers from her unsparing self-assessments.

From Los Angeles Times

But Jared Kushner’s memoir, “Breaking History,” is, at its core, an extended news release that exists primarily to exculpate its author after his role in one of the most destructive presidential administrations of my lifetime.

From Washington Post