vindicate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to clearas from an accusationimputationsuspicionor the like.
to vindicate someone's honor.
- Synonyms:
- exonerate
-
to afford justification for; justify.
Subsequent events vindicated his policy.
-
to uphold or justify by argument or evidence.
to vindicate a claim.
- Synonyms:
- substantiate
-
to assertmaintainor defend (a rightcauseetc.) against opposition.
- Synonyms:
- substantiate
-
to claim for oneself or another.
-
Roman and Civil Law. to regain possessionunder claim of title of property through legal procedureor to assert one's right to possession.
-
to get revenge for; avenge.
-
Obsolete. to deliver from; liberate.
-
Obsolete. to punish.
verb
-
to clear from guiltaccusationblameetcas by evidence or argument
-
to provide justification for
his promotion vindicated his unconventional attitude
-
to upholdmaintainor defend (a causeetc)
to vindicate a claim
-
Roman law to bring an action to regain possession of (property) under claim of legal title
-
rare to claimas for oneself or another
-
obsolete to take revenge on or for; punish
-
obsolete to set free
Other Word Forms
- revindicate verb (used with object)
- self-vindicated adjective
- self-vindicating adjective
- unvindicated adjective
- vindicator noun
- vindicatory adjective
Etymology
Origin of vindicate
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 protectavengepunish),“ equivalent to vindic- (stem of vindex “claimantprotectoravenger”) + -ātus -ate 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“We are called upon by every consideration of duty and patriotism,” the president said“to vindicate with decision the honorthe rightsand the interests of our country.”
From Los Angeles Times
Sir Keir's three-day trip to China - the first by a British prime minister since 2018 - is an attempt to thaw relations and he has argued that the lifting of some sanctions "vindicated" his diplomatic approach.
From BBC
I’m elatedilluminatedvindicatedand so much more.
From Literature
The PM said the outcome "vindicated" his approachsuggesting his visit to China had "provided the opportunity for a leader-to-leader discussion on sensitive issues".
From BBC
“Rocket is proud to help homebuyers navigate complex real-estate partnerships. We are confident that we will be vindicated once facts are presented,” the Rocket spokesperson added.
From MarketWatch
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridgedbased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary© Random HouseInc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 200220011995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
