vindicate

Meaning

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

Synonyms

justify

defend

avenge

revenge

absolve

excuse

exonerate

prove

take vengeance on

assert

explain

get even with

claim

clear

free from

retaliate

validate

demonstrate

continue

forgive

disculpate

contest

maintain

palliate

pardon

pay back

plead

proceed with

clarify

punish

put in order

remit

be retributive

champion

right

safeguard

stand

stand up

stand up for

stickle

stick up

sustain

take revenge

defend from

get back at someone

verify

warrant

alleviate

make excuses

set in order

Translations

justifier

rechtfertigen

justificar

rechtvaardigen

défendre

verdedigen

giustificare

revendiquer

excuser

verteidigen

υπερασπίζω

defender

in het gelijk stellen

billijken

faire valoir

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈvɪn.dɪˌkeɪt/

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.