Celebrating the Lives of Lescher Millsap: A Collection of Obituaries and Remembrances - TRENDS
May 23, 2026 · vindicate (third-person singular simple present vindicates, present participle vindicating, simple past and past participle vindicated) (transitive) To clear of an accusation, suspicion or criticism. There are 12 meanings listed in OED's entry for the verb vindicate, four of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
Context Explanation
to clear, as from an accusation or suspicion: to vindicate someone's honor. to afford justification for; justify. to uphold or justify by argument or evidence. If your family thinks you hogged the last piece of pie on Thanksgiving, you'll be vindicated when your younger brother fesses up.
Insight Material
to prove that what someone said or did was right or true, after other people thought it was…. If a person or their decisions, actions, or ideas are vindicated, they are proved to be correct, after people have said that they were wrong. The director said he had been vindicated by the experts' report. He … Vindicate means to justify, prove, or reinforce an idea — or to absolve from guilt. If your family thinks you hogged the last piece of pie on Thanksgiving, you'll be vindicated when your younger brother fesses up.