vindicate

[ vin-di-keyt ]

verb (used with object)

, vin·di·cat·ed, vin·di·cat·ing.

1. to clear, as from an accusation, imputation, suspicion, or the like:

   to vindicate someone's honor.

   Synonyms: exonerate

2. to afford justification for; justify:

   Subsequent events vindicated his policy.

3. to uphold or justify by argument or evidence:

   to vindicate a claim.

   Synonyms: substantiate

4. to assert, maintain, or defend (a right, cause, etc.) against opposition.

   Synonyms: substantiate

5. to claim for oneself or another.
6. Roman and Civil Law. to regain possession, under claim of title of property through legal procedure, or to assert one's right to possession.
7. to get revenge for; avenge.
8. Obsolete. to deliver from; liberate.
9. Obsolete. to punish.

vindicate

/ ˈvɪndɪˌkeɪt /

verb

1. to clear from guilt, accusation, blame, etc, as by evidence or argument
2. to provide justification for

   his promotion vindicated his unconventional attitude

3. to uphold, maintain, or defend (a cause, etc)

   to vindicate a claim

4. Roman law to bring an action to regain possession of (property) under claim of legal title
5. rare.
   to claim, as for oneself or another
6. obsolete.
   to take revenge on or for; punish
7. obsolete.
   to set free

Derived Forms

• ˈvindiˌcator, noun
• ˈvindiˌcatory, adjective

Other Words From

• vin·di·ca·tor noun
• re·vin·di·cate verb (used with object) revindicated revindicating
• self-vin·di·cat·ed adjective
• self-vin·di·cat·ing adjective
• un·vin·di·cat·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vindicate¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin vindicātus (past participle of vindicāre “to lay legal claim to (property); to free (someone) from servitude (by claiming him as free); to protect, avenge, punish),“ equivalent to vindic- (stem of vindex “claimant, protector, avenger”) + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of vindicate¹

C17: from Latin vindicāre, from vindex claimant

Example Sentences

For Trump, this mythical fraud serves to vindicate his self-image as a defender of American democracy, who’s sometimes forced to ask election officials to find him several thousand votes.

From Salon

But marriage equality in California was never vindicated on its merits, just on a technicality.

From Los Angeles Times

Yet they may feel vindicated even if Trump loses narrowly to Harris but his acolytes erupt in litigious, violent and protracted fashion.

From Salon

“On the one hand, I feel vindicated,” the young reporter — just 33 — told me as we drank coffee, the strap on his digital watch half torn.

From Los Angeles Times

“The Endangered Species Act ... cannot function as Congress intended, and in the manner this Court vindicated, under the shadow of such contempt going inadequately addressed,” states the motion.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• absolve
• acquit
• corroborate
• defend
• disprove
• exonerate
• justify
• prove
• refute
• substantiate
• uphold