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

In other words, such is the desire which every one has to exculpate himself by blackening his neighbour.

From Project Gutenberg

But she turned to me, and tried to exculpate her past violence by dilating upon her wrongs, and they certainly were many.

From Project Gutenberg

Four men were nearer to Mr. Davis than Byrnes was, and all of them exculpate Mr. Davis.

From Project Gutenberg

In the Beowulf it was even desirable, as explained above, to go further, and completely to exculpate the Danish watchers.

From Project Gutenberg

I am very sorry this has occurred, but you at least will exculpate me from the charge of coquetry.

From Project Gutenberg