exculpatory

[ ik-skuhl-puh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]

adjective

1. tending to clear from a charge of fault or guilt.

Other Word Forms

• nonex·culpa·tory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exculpatory¹

First recorded in 1770–80; exculpate + -ory ¹

Example Sentences

Prosecutors were also accused of hiding evidence of the use of informants during trial, keeping the practice secret, and keeping exculpatory information from reaching defense attorneys.

From Los Angeles Times

Mayes also requested exculpatory evidence, as requested by defendant and former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows.

From Salon

It further alleges that county employees botched the investigation and subsequent trial by coaching witnesses, hiding exculpatory evidence from the jury, fabricating evidence and giving false testimony.

From Los Angeles Times

Colombo asserts that exculpatory material in the government’s possession pertaining to a cooperating witness was not shared with the defendants during trial.

From Los Angeles Times

According to the passages that were unsealed, Menendez plans to testify about what he believes were exculpatory communications with his wife, Nadine, if he decides to take the witness stand in his defense.

From Seattle Times