Vindication

/ˌvɪndɪˈkeɪʃn̩/ · noun

Meaning

(countable) An act of asserting or maintaining; an assertion..

Definitions by Sense

1. (countable) An act of asserting or maintaining; an assertion.
2. (countable) An argument, fact, piece of evidence, etc., which vindicates (“clears someone of an accusation or suspicion; justifies a belief or claim by providing evidence or proof”).
3. (uncountable) The action of vindicating; also, the state of being vindicated.
4. (countable, Ancient Rome, law, historical) A legal claim for a declaration that one is the owner of a thing or the holder of a right; an action in rem.
5. The action of avenging or taking revenge.
6. The action of setting free; deliverance.
7. Punishment, retribution.

Example Sentences

[T]he loud "Aye, Aye" of the bulk of the members [of Parliament] supported [John] Eliot in his last vindication of English liberty.

The Soldiers publiſh'd a vindication, as they call'd it, of their Proceedings and Reſolutions, and directed it to their General; in vvhich they complain'd of a deſign to disband, and nevv model the Army; […] This Apology, or Vindication, being ſign'd by many inferior Officers, the Parliament declared them to be Enemies of the State; and cauſed ſome of them vvho talked loudeſt, to be impriſon'd.

The great vindication of evil is, that (constituted as we are) we could not know so much joy, nor manifest so much virtue without it; and certainly, in instances like these, it fetches out, under circumstances of the extremest weakness, the most beautiful strength of the human heart.

Among its [Milan's] Natural Curioſities I took particular notice of a Piece of Crystal, that enclos'd a couple of Drops, vvhich look'd like VVater vvhen they vvere ſhaken, tho' perhaps they are nothing but Bubbles of Air. […] The Famous Pere [Jean] Mabillon is novv engag'd in the Vindication of this Tear, vvhich a learned Eccleſiaſtic, in the Neighbourhood of Vendome, vvould have ſuppreſs'd, as a Falſe and ridiculous Relick, […]

These are the reasons which I have gathered from philosophy and nature; to which I can add other circumstances in vindication of the account of this learned body who publish this almanack.

[H]e was satisfied that Alice yet lived; he hoped she might yet escape and return. […] He enriched Mrs. Jones for life, in gratitude for her vindication of his lost and early love: he promised the amplest rewards for the smallest clue.

"There, Jack, you hear! You would be afraid of him, under similar circumstances, wouldn't you, Miss Landless?" / "Not under any circumstances," returned Helena. / Jasper brought down his hands, looked over his shoulder, and begged to thank Miss Landless for her vindication of his character.

Coordinate term: condiction

Synonyms for vindication

Antonyms for vindication

Related Words

Word Forms

• vindications

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