exculpate
- Verb:
- To officially declare someone not guilty of a crime or wrongdoing; to free from blame or accusation.
- To prove or argue that someone is not responsible for an alleged fault or offense.
The verb "exculpate" is used in formal or legal contexts. It is a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object (the person being cleared). It is often used in the passive voice ("to be exculpated").
Active Voice:
- The new evidence presented by the defense attorney helped to exculpate the defendant.
- The investigation exculpated the employee from any wrongdoing in the financial audit.
Passive Voice:
- After a lengthy trial, the accused was finally exculpated by the jury.
- He felt a huge relief when he was exculpated of all charges.
"to exculpate oneself": To clear oneself of blame or suspicion.
- She provided an alibi to exculpate herself from the accusation.
"exculpatory evidence": Evidence that tends to clear a person from blame or guilt. (Note: This is a related adjective form used in a compound term, listed here as it is a common legal phrase).
- The defense lawyer argued that the video footage was exculpatory evidence.
Exculpation (n): The act of exculpating or the state of being exculpated; vindication.
- The report led to his full exculpation.
Exculpatory (adj): Tending to clear from alleged fault or guilt.
- The witness gave exculpatory testimony.
- Acquit: To declare not guilty of a criminal charge.
- Absolve: To set free from blame, guilt, or responsibility.
- Vindicate: To clear from blame or suspicion with supporting proof.
- Clear: To prove someone's innocence.
- Exonerate: To relieve someone of a duty or obligation, or to officially declare someone free from blame.
- Inculpate: To accuse or blame.
- Incriminate: To make someone appear guilty of a crime.
- Condemn: To express complete disapproval or to sentence someone to a punishment.
- Convict: To declare someone guilty of a criminal offense.
While "exculpate," "acquit," "exonerate," and "vindicate" are close synonyms, they have subtle differences: - Exculpate and exonerate often focus on the removal of blame based on evidence. - Acquit is a strictly legal term for a formal verdict of not guilty. - Vindicate often implies not only clearing of blame but also justification after a period of doubt.
- pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
- The suspect was cleared of the murder charges