vindicate

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To prove that someone is right or free from blame.

   The new evidence finally vindicated the man wrongly accused of theft.

2. 2
   verb

   To prove that a decision, belief, or action was correct or justified.

   The team's success vindicated the coach's risky strategy.

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.

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