vindicate
/ˈvɪn.dɪ.keɪt/- 1.
To prove that a person is not guilty, not wrong, or not at fault after others have doubted or accused them. The proof usually comes from new evidence or from events that unfold over time.
- The DNA test vindicated the man who had spent years in prison.
- She felt completely vindicated when her diagnosis turned out to be correct.
- The investigation vindicated the whistleblower who had been ignored for months.
- 2.
To show that a decision, belief, strategy, or action was correct or reasonable, especially after it was questioned or criticised.
- The election results vindicated the party's campaign strategy.
- His bold investment was vindicated when the startup went public.
- Time vindicated her unpopular decision to rebuild the entire system.
Adinary Nuance
Vindicate is frequently confused with exonerate, acquit, and justify — all of which involve clearing someone or something of fault. Exonerate is more formal and narrower: it specifically removes blame from a person, often in official or legal contexts ("the committee exonerated the official"). Acquit is strictly a courtroom word — only a judge or jury can acquit you. Vindicate is the most flexible of the three: it applies to both people and things (decisions, strategies, beliefs), and the proof often comes from real-world events rather than a formal process. Justify is the odd one out — it focuses on showing an action was reasonable or logical, but it does not carry the emotional weight of clearing someone's name that "vindicate" does.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- thanh minh
- Spanish
- reivindicar
- Chinese
- 平反
- Japanese
- 正当化する
- Korean
- 정당화하다
Etymology
From Latin "vindicare," meaning "to claim, protect, or set free," which entered English in the mid-1500s. The word originally carried a sense of defending or avenging, before settling into its modern meaning of proving innocence or correctness.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between 'vindicate' and 'exonerate'?
- 'Exonerate' is more formal and is typically used to officially remove blame from a person, often in legal or institutional settings. 'Vindicate' is broader — it can apply to people, decisions, beliefs, or strategies, and the proof usually comes from evidence or the outcome of events rather than an official ruling.
- Can 'vindicate' be used for things, not just people?
- Yes, and this is one of its most useful features. You can vindicate a person ('the evidence vindicated her') but also a decision, a belief, or a strategy ('the results vindicated his approach'). This flexibility makes it common in academic and IELTS writing.
- Is 'vindicate' formal or can I use it in everyday speech?
- 'Vindicate' sits in a mid-to-formal register. It appears often in news articles, academic essays, and IELTS writing tasks. In casual conversation, people more often say 'I was right all along' or 'I was cleared,' but 'vindicate' is not too stiff to use in everyday educated speech.
- What is the noun form of 'vindicate'?
- The noun form is 'vindication.' For example: 'Her promotion was a complete vindication of her hard work.' It is commonly used in formal writing and appears in IELTS and academic contexts.