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

Barrios said Monday that his opponent, San Diego Community College Trustee Sean Elo-Rivera, was behind the allegations of financial impropriety, but erroneously claimed that he had already been vindicated by four different organizations.

From Voice of San Diego

Late Monday, Barrios issued a press release defending himself, in which he made four specific claims about the various entities that had already vindicated him of the charges.

From Voice of San Diego

After the Union-Tribune reported he was under criminal investigation, Kelvin Barrios, a candidate in the District 9 City Council race, issued a press release announcing four ways in which he had been vindicated.

From Voice of San Diego

Let’s go after the bad guys, even those who committed these violations two or three years ago, beyond the previous statute of limitations, and make sure that the consumer interest is vindicated here.

From Freakonomics

Maybe at some level, we may be drawn to those stories perhaps because they may seem to vindicate our own failures to intervene in some cases.

From Freakonomics

The present needs to vindicate the president, whoever he or she may be.

From The Daily Beast

And even if that was true, it wouldn't vindicate a disparity that plainly affected her and presumably other women at the paper.

From The Daily Beast

Failing to vindicate a loss or injury is a sign of faulty moral character.

From The Daily Beast

Some top White House aide is dispatched to tell us pooh-poohers that events ultimate will vindicate the president.

From The Daily Beast

History, the White House always says, will vindicate the president.

From The Daily Beast

I thought it not convenient to vindicate him much now, but time will serve when I will do it, and I am bound to do it.

From Project Gutenberg

She could not vindicate her friend without criminating her father.

From Project Gutenberg

But I cannot vindicate Kingston society against the charge of surpassing dulness.

From Project Gutenberg

I write this story not to vindicate my own wit nor to point out new paths for human thought to follow.

From Project Gutenberg

In this manner did Providence take the cunning persecutor in his own snare, and vindicate the cause of his oppressed people.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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