vindicate
verb
vin·di·cate
ˈvin-də-ˌkāt 
vindicated; vindicating
1
a
: to free from allegation or blame : to show that someone is not guilty
a non-profit group that works to vindicate those wrongly convicted
They have evidence that will vindicate [=exonerate] her.
b(1)
: confirmsubstantiate
These discoveries vindicate their theory.
… there was a mad scramble to discover artifacts that might vindicate various claims about the Bible.—
Jennifer Schuessler
Jennifer Schuessler
(2)
: to provide justification or defense for : justify
felt vindicated when the truth became known
c
: to protect from attack or encroachment : defend
Today's decision on its face does little to vindicate tribal sovereignty …—Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals
Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals2
: avenge
3
: to maintain a right to
4
obsolete
: to set free : deliver
Did you know?
It’s hard not to marvel at the rich history of vindicate. Vindicatewhich has been used in English since at least the mid-16th centurycomes from a form of the Latin verb vindicaremeaning “to set freeavengeor lay claim to.” Vindicarein turncomes from vindexa noun meaning “claimant” or “avenger.” Trulyvindex has proven to be an incredible hulk of a word progenitor over the centuries. Other descendants of this “avenger” assembled in English include avenge itselfrevengevengeancevendettaand vindictive.
Examples of vindicate in a Sentence
She will be completely vindicated by the evidence.
These discoveries vindicate their theory.
Their approach to the problem has been vindicated by the positive results.
He felt vindicated when the truth became known.
Recent Examples on the Web
Reporters Tyler Kingkade and Ben Kamisar looked at a crusade to vindicate former president Richard Nixon.
—Christian OrozcoNBC news2 Dec. 2025
The moment was vindicating for the humanitarian and volunteerwho was the subject of one of a number of pageant scandals over the last few weeks.
—Taijuan MoormanUSA Today21 Nov. 2025
Stillthere’s a part of him that feels vindicated.
—Lizzie LanuzaStyleCaster18 Nov. 2025
Many in Europe’s post-Soviet countriesPoland chief among themfinally feel vindicated after decades of warning against the push from European powers like Germany to warm ties with Russia.
—Joseph AtamanCNN Money15 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vindicate
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Christian OrozcoNBC news2 Dec. 2025
The moment was vindicating for the humanitarian and volunteerwho was the subject of one of a number of pageant scandals over the last few weeks.
—Taijuan MoormanUSA Today21 Nov. 2025
Stillthere’s a part of him that feels vindicated.
—Lizzie LanuzaStyleCaster18 Nov. 2025
Many in Europe’s post-Soviet countriesPoland chief among themfinally feel vindicated after decades of warning against the push from European powers like Germany to warm ties with Russia.
—Joseph AtamanCNN Money15 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for vindicate
Cite this Entry
“Vindicate.” Merriam-Webster.com DictionaryMerriam-Websterhttps://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vindicate. Accessed 6 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
vindicate
verb
vin·di·cate
ˈvin-də-ˌkāt
vindicated; vindicating
1
: to free from blame or guilt
evidence that will vindicate me
2
: confirm sense 4
later discoveries vindicated the claim
vindication
noun
ˌvin-də-ˈkā-shən
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