exculpate

American  

[ek-skuhl-peyt, ik-skuhl-peyt] / ˈɛk skʌlˌpeɪt, ɪkˈskʌl peɪt /

verb (used with object)

exculpated, exculpating

1. to clear from a charge of guilt or fault; free from blame; vindicate.

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exculpate British  

/ ɪkˈskʌlpəbəl, ɪkˈskʌlpeɪt, ˈɛkskʌlˌpeɪt /

verb

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

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Other Word Forms

• exculpable adjective
• exculpation noun
• exculpatory adjective
• nonexculpable adverb
• unexculpable adjective
• unexculpated adjective

Etymology

Origin of exculpate

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

Explanation

To exculpate means to find someone not guilty of criminal charges. If you've been wrongly accused of robbery, you'd better hope a judge will exculpate you, unless you want to go to jail because you've heard prison food is amazing. Exculpate comes from two Latin words: ex-, meaning "from," and culpa, meaning "blame." Exculpate is similar in meaning to exonerate. When you exonerate someone, you clear a person of an accusation and any suspicion that goes along with it. Exculpate usually refers more directly to clearing the charges against someone. So if that judge exculpates you from the robbery charge, everyone in town might still think you did it. Get him to exculpate and exonerate you.

Example Sentences

The documentary includes an interview with a whistleblower who claimed bosses told him to doctor evidence to exculpate the agency in the death of Hernández Rojas.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 9, 2026

“It does not vary either to exculpate on the basis of the actor’s unusual callousness or to condemn for outraging an excessively delicate relative of the deceased,” Rennie wrote, citing the Model Penal Code.

From Seattle Times • May 24, 2022

But “the photos are not proof of my father being in Sobibor and may even exculpate him once forensically examined.”

From Washington Times • Jan. 28, 2020

It is depressing that it still has to be said, but: Testimonials from women—especially powerful women—do not exculpate accused harassers.

From Slate • Sep. 1, 2018

With great eagerness each of them tried, the moment she entered, to exculpate herself, and prove that the other had killed the bird. 

From Mary Wollstonecraft's Original Stories by Wollstonecraft, Mary