Meaning

(transitive) To clear of an accusation, suspicion or criticism..

Definitions by Sense

1. (transitive) To clear of an accusation, suspicion or criticism.
2. (transitive) To justify by providing evidence.
3. (transitive) To maintain or defend (a cause) against opposition.
4. (transitive) To be proven reasonable, correct, or justified.
5. (transitive) To provide justification for.
6. (transitive) To lay claim to; to assert a right to; to claim.
7. (transitive, obsolete) To liberate; to set free; to deliver.
8. (transitive, obsolete) To avenge; to punish.

Example Sentences

to vindicate someone's honor

As a man of vision, he understood this. Without Cerberus, humanity was doomed to an existence of groveling subservience at the feet of alien masters. Still, there were those who would call what he did criminal. Unethical. Amoral. History would vindicate him, but until it did he and his followers were forced to exist in hiding, working toward their goals in secret.

to vindicate a right, claim or title

Also see: United National Congress, Trinidad and Tobago

Kamla Persad Bissessar: " We have been vindicated, but it is a victory for the people"

The Ukrainians immediately demanded a goal and their claims were vindicated as replays showed the ball crossed the line before Terry's intervention.

to vindicate the rights of labor movement in developing countries

When Trump's election pulled back the curtain on the rise of the far-right in America, I'd naively assumed the Jewish left would be vindicated.

Word Forms

• vindicates
• vindicating
• vindicated

Synonyms for vindicate

Related Words

When Should You Use Vindicate?

Use vindicate when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

Practice This Word

Frequently Asked Questions