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

Although Gascón delivered on some of his campaign promises — he aggressively prosecuted police officers in fatal uses of excessive force, and improved the office’s efforts to exonerate people who had been wrongfully convicted — he could never shake the perception that he was “soft on crime.”

From Los Angeles Times

And what did the prosecutors say to exonerate themselves?

From Slate

If they thought Kavanaugh was innocent, they would have been eager to conduct an investigation to exonerate him.

From Salon

An analysis of the DNA evidence on the kitchen knife used to kill Gayle just before a late August hearing showed that it had been contaminated with DNA from a prosecutor and investigator on the case, leaving Williams and his defense team without the new evidence they had hoped would exonerate him.

From Salon

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

Related Words

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