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View synonyms for exonerate

exonerate

[ ig-zon-uh-reyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ex·on·er·at·ed, ex·on·er·at·ing.
  1. to clear, as of an accusation; free from guilt or blame; exculpate:

    He was exonerated from the accusation of cheating.

    Synonyms: vindicate

    Antonyms: blame

  2. to relieve, as from an obligation, duty, or task.

    Synonyms: free, discharge, release



exonerate

/ ɪɡˈzɒnəˌreɪt /

verb

  1. to clear or absolve from blame or a criminal charge
  2. to relieve from an obligation or task; exempt


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Derived Forms

  • exˈonerative, adjective
  • exˈonerˌator, noun
  • exˌonerˈation, noun

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Other Words From

  • ex·on·er·a·tion [ig-zon-, uh, -, rey, -sh, uh, n], noun
  • ex·on·er·a·tive adjective
  • ex·on·er·a·tor noun
  • un·ex·on·er·a·tive adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of exonerate1

First recorded in 1515–25; late Middle English, from Latin exonerātus (past participle of exonerāre “to unburden, discharge”), equivalent to ex- “out of, from; thoroughly” + oner- (stem of onus ) “a burden” + -ātus past participle suffix; ex- 1, -ate 1

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Word History and Origins

Origin of exonerate1

C16: from Latin exonerāre to free from a burden, from onus a burden

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Synonym Study

See absolve.

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Example Sentences

The central political question is this: Can everything change back if the feds exonerate him?

Those books might seek to exonerate, but duBois wants to explain.

Is a top House Republican covering up information that would exonerate the White House from involvement in the IRS scandals?

A new report appears to exonerate Susan Rice for public statements following the Benghazi attack.

“The Democrat Party will always be here to oppose any attempt” to exonerate Thaksin, he said on national TV.

I dont think it would exonerate him either with them or with legal functionaries of a higher grade.

Surely, said Rose, the poor childs story faithfully repeated to these men will be sufficient to exonerate him.

And yet, as I look backward on that one bit of smuggling of which I was guilty, so far as motive was involved, I exonerate myself.

As to the people on board the vessel, I exonerated them then, and I exonerate them now, from all blame.

She had not known how to exonerate herself without hurting their feelings, or—telling a lie.

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