English Explanatory Dictionary

vindicate

English dictionary entry

Meanings

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

Pronunciation

/ˈvɪn.dɪˌkeɪt/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-vindicate.wav

Word forms

vindicate vindicates vindicating vindicated

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin vindicātus, perfect passive participle of vindicō (“lay legal claim to something; set free; protect, avenge, punish”), from vim, accusative singular of vīs (“force, power”), + dīcō (“say; declare, state”). See avenge.

Synonyms

absolve clear exonerate acquittance assoil assoilzie acquit disculp disculpate exculpate vindicate

Derived words

vindication vindicator vindictive
This entry uses open data from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA/GFDL). Word forms are used for search and are not indexed as separate pages.
Back to search All on V Russian dictionary Dahl dictionary