exculpate

C2 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /ˈekskəlpeɪt/ UK /ˈekskʌlpeɪt/ See IPA manual

Freq #157046

Meanings

1

verb
formal: to clear a person from blame, guilt, or an accusation

The newly discovered letter exculpated her from any role in the fraud.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · formal: to clear a person... exonerate absolve vindicate acquit clear

Opposites

inculpate incriminate blame condemn

Word family

Forms exculpated

Derived forms exculpationexculpatoryexculpable

Related forms culpable guilt vindication acquittal

Etymology

From Medieval Latin exculpare, 'to free from blame,' formed from Latin ex- ('out of, away from') + culpa ('fault or blame'). It is the semantic opposite of inculpate and shares the culpa root with culpable, culprit, and exculpatory.

Topics

Actions & Processes Word Formation & Derivatives Register & Style

External links

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