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Exonerate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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exonerate

[ษชษกหˆzษ’nษ™reษชt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

legal

To officially declare that someone is not guilty of a crime or responsible for a wrongdoing.

Synonyms

absolve, acquit, vindicate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
exonerate

This is used when someone is officially declared not guilty of a crime they were accused of. Often used in formal or legal contexts.

  • The new evidence served to exonerate the man, freeing him from a lifetime in prison.
  • After a thorough investigation, the committee decided to exonerate the accused individuals.
acquit

Typically used in legal contexts when a court or jury finds someone not guilty of a criminal charge.

  • The jury acquitted the defendant of all charges.
  • After a lengthy trial, he was acquitted and allowed to go free.
absolve

Commonly used in religious or moral settings to mean that someone is forgiven for their sins or wrongdoings.

  • The priest absolved the sinner during confession.
  • She felt relieved after being absolved of her past mistakes.
vindicate

Used to show that someone's actions or decisions were justified, often used after a period of doubt or criticism. Can also be used in a legal context.

  • Her alibi vindicated her, proving she was nowhere near the crime scene.
  • After years of criticism, the scientist was finally vindicated when other researchers confirmed his theories.

Examples of usage

  • The DNA evidence helped to exonerate the wrongly accused man.
  • After further investigation, the court decided to exonerate the defendant.
Context #2 | Verb

general

To clear someone from blame or accusation.

Synonyms

absolve, clear, vindicate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
exonerate

Use 'exonerate' when someone is officially and formally declared not guilty after being suspected or accused of a wrongdoing. It often involves a judicial or authoritative review.

  • The new evidence exonerated him from the charges.
  • After a thorough investigation, she was exonerated of all allegations.
clear

'Clear' is a more general term that can be applied in both informal and formal situations. It means to remove doubt or suspicion from someone regarding any accusations.

  • The CCTV footage cleared him of theft allegations.
  • Her good alibi cleared her of any involvement in the incident.
absolve

'Absolve' is often used in a moral or religious context. It means to forgive someone for their sins or wrongdoings and declare that they are free from guilt or blame.

  • The priest absolved the sinner after confession.
  • She was absolved of her mistakes by her generous boss.
vindicate

'Vindicate' is used when someone is proven right or justified, especially after being doubted by others. It carries a sense of being shown to be in the right after a period of suspicion or criticism.

  • The discovery of the truth vindicated her stance on the matter.
  • He felt vindicated after the real culprit confessed.

Examples of usage

  • The new evidence exonerated him from any suspicion of fraud.
  • The investigation results are expected to exonerate the company from any wrongdoing.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Legal Usage

  • In legal contexts, exoneration often involves a formal process where wrongful convictions are overturned.
  • Innocent clients can be exonerated through evidence such as DNA testing or uncovering police misconduct.
  • In some jurisdictions, there are specific legal provisions for exoneration that can lead to compensation.

Pop Culture

  • Exoneration themes appear in movies like 'The Shawshank Redemption', where false imprisonment is successfully challenged.
  • Several real-life exoneration cases have spurred public interest, resulting in documentaries that highlight justice system failures.
  • Books like 'Just Mercy' detail stories of exonerated individuals and bring attention to systemic injustices.

Psychology

  • Exoneration can affect psychological well-being, leading to feelings of relief but also lingering trauma from wrongful accusations.
  • The stigma of being wrongfully accused can impact social relationships, sometimes complicating the exoneration process.
  • Societal perspectives on exoneration can shape public opinion, influencing how individuals perceive justice and accountability.

Histories of Exoneration

  • The case of the 'Central Park Five' highlights wrongful conviction and the eventual exoneration of five men due to DNA evidence.
  • The Innocence Project is an organization dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted individuals, helping to increase awareness about flawed legal procedures.
  • Through history, famous cases of wrongful imprisonment led to legal reforms aimed at preventing future injustices.

Origin of 'exonerate'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'exonerare', meaning 'to unburden' or 'to free from a load'.
  • The prefix 'ex-' means 'out of' or 'from', while 'onerare' translates to 'to burden'.
  • This word has been used in English since the late 16th century, reflecting its legal importance.

The word 'exonerate' has Latin origins, coming from the word 'exoneratus', which means 'freed from a burden'. The prefix 'ex-' means 'out of' or 'away from', while 'onerare' means 'to load' or 'to burden'. Over time, the term evolved to its current usage in legal and general contexts, signifying the act of clearing someone from blame or guilt. The concept of exonerating individuals has been crucial in the justice system to ensure fairness and accuracy in determining innocence.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,702, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.