vindication

[ vin-di-key-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of vindicating.
2. the state of being vindicated.
3. defense; excuse; justification:

   Poverty was a vindication for his thievery.

4. something that vindicates:

   Subsequent events were her vindication.

vindication

/ ˌvɪndɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of vindicating or the condition of being vindicated
2. a means of exoneration from an accusation
3. a fact, evidence, circumstance, etc, that serves to vindicate a theory or claim

Other Words From

• nonvin·di·cation noun
• revin·di·cation noun
• self-vindi·cation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of vindication¹

First recorded in 1475–85; from Latin vindicātiōn-, stem of vindicātiō “defense, punishment, vengeance”; equivalent to vindicate + -ion

Example Sentences

“They are seeing this as a fulfillment of their prophecies, as vindication of their theology,” said Matthew Taylor, a scholar at the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies, who has written a book about this religious movement and the Capitol riot.

From Slate

The findings were seen as vindication for those who found themselves facing down powerful officialdom, the state, and religious institutions - and often struggling to be believed.

From BBC

But the aggrieved American man now rides on a sense of vindication in celebrating Trump’s return to the White House.

From Los Angeles Times

Rather, for hedge fund owner Bill Ackman, it’s vindication that X—where Ackman repeatedly pushed disinformation around network news, vaccines, and plagiarism—is the epitome of accuracy.

From Slate

Sources within government see its report, to be published on Tuesday, as a vindication of its pledge to deliver a net zero carbon electricity system in Great Britain by 2030, a key part of Labour's election manifesto.

From BBC

Related Words

• exoneration
• proof
• revenge