vindicator

[ vin-di-key-ter ]

noun

1. a person or thing that clears someone of blame, suspicion, doubt, or the like, or that proves someone right through evidence or argument:

   His vindicator, the historian in charge of Soviet military archives, carefully analyzed the files and declared him innocent of working as a double agent.

Word History and Origins

Origin of vindicator¹

First recorded in 1560–70; vindicat(e) ( def ) + -or ¹( def )

Example Sentences

It confers on the plaintiff the status of a vindicator of rights, and it puts on notice those who are, or might contemplate, acting on incorrect interpretations of the law.

From Washington Post

Intuitively, progressives might seem the likely vindicators of workers’ interests.

From New York Times

And they did so deliberately, they believed they were fighting for God: Deo vindice was their motto, "God the vindicator" or "God the defender."

From Salon

John Adams described just such a foreign policy when he wrote that America is “the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all” but “the champion and vindicator only of her own.”

From New York Times

It’s time for a new hashtag that transforms us from victims to vindicators.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• advocate
• backer
• defender
• enthusiast
• exponent
• partisan
• patron
• protector
• supporter