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

Perlin said the science has been “tested and shown to be reliable” and pointed out that TrueAllele has recently been used to help exonerate some falsely accused defendants.

From Washington Post

In today’s press release explaining its decision not to exonerate Houlihan, CAS stated that she had “had failed, on the balance of probability, to establish the source of the prohibited substance.”

From Outside Online

Along the way, she mastered DNA evidence and exonerated 12 men.

From Washington Post

In a fish-out-of-water tale, Bill takes up a mission to exonerate her, while navigating a new life in a foreign country.

From Time

So desperate was Carlson to exonerate the system of Floyd’s death that he claimed that Floyd had died of a drug overdose.

From Washington Post

The central political question is this: Can everything change back if the feds exonerate him?

From The Daily Beast

Those books might seek to exonerate, but duBois wants to explain.

From The Daily Beast

Is a top House Republican covering up information that would exonerate the White House from involvement in the IRS scandals?

From The Daily Beast

A new report appears to exonerate Susan Rice for public statements following the Benghazi attack.

From The Daily Beast

“The Democrat Party will always be here to oppose any attempt” to exonerate Thaksin, he said on national TV.

From The Daily Beast

I dont think it would exonerate him either with them or with legal functionaries of a higher grade.

From Project Gutenberg

Surely, said Rose, the poor childs story faithfully repeated to these men will be sufficient to exonerate him.

From Project Gutenberg

And yet, as I look backward on that one bit of smuggling of which I was guilty, so far as motive was involved, I exonerate myself.

From Project Gutenberg

As to the people on board the vessel, I exonerated them then, and I exonerate them now, from all blame.

From Project Gutenberg

She had not known how to exonerate herself without hurting their feelings, or—telling a lie.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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