exonerate

[ ig-zon-uh-reyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ex·on·er·at·ed, ex·on·er·at·ing.

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

/ ɪɡˈzɒnəˌreɪt /

verb

1. to clear or absolve from blame or a criminal charge
2. to relieve from an obligation or task; exempt

Derived Forms

• exˈonerˌator, noun
• exˌonerˈation, noun
• exˈonerative, adjective

Other Words From

• ex·on·er·a·tion [ig-zon-, uh, -, rey, -sh, uh, n], noun
• ex·on·er·a·tive adjective
• ex·on·er·a·tor noun
• un·ex·on·er·a·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exonerate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of exonerate¹

C16: from Latin exonerāre to free from a burden, from onus a burden

Synonym Study

See absolve.

Example Sentences

At the time, Mr. Perez announced in a news release that he had been “exonerated.”

From New York Times

She’s since been exonerated in the court of public opinion, but Stewart hasn’t forgiven the men who used her conviction to further their political careers, including James Comey.

From Salon

And he invoked Trump’s statements about the Central Park Five, a group of black and Latino men who were wrongly convicted of assaulting a jogger in 1989 and exonerated years later.

From BBC

Nearly two decades after a woman falsely confessed to a shocking murder, her sons finally see her exonerated from a wrongful conviction that derailed their lives.

From Los Angeles Times

The men, who were between 14 and 16 at the time, served several years in prison before being exonerated in 2002.

From Salon

Related Words

• absolve
• acquit
• discharge
• dismiss
• exempt
• justify
• pardon
• vindicate