To vindicate means to clear someone of blame, suspicion, or accusations, providing justification or proof for their actions or behavior. The comprehensive definition of vindicate. Includes pronunciation, synonyms, etymology, and usage examples to help you master this word.
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To uphold or justify by argument or evidence. There are 12 meanings listed in oed's entry for the verb vindicate, four of which are labelled obsolete. Learn the meaning and correct usage of vindicate.
Vindicate means to justify, prove, or reinforce an idea — or to absolve from guilt.
It can also refer to the act of defending or maintaining a right or cause. To clear, as from an accusation or suspicion: The director said he had been vindicated by the experts' report. To prove that what someone said or did was right or true, after other people thought it was….
If your family thinks you hogged the last piece of pie on thanksgiving, you'll be vindicated when your younger brother fesses up. If a person or their decisions, actions, or ideas are vindicated, they are proved to be correct, after people have said that they were wrong. See ‘meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.