vindicate

C2 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /ˈvɪn.dɪˌkeɪt/ See IPA manual

Freq #53105

Meanings

1

verb
To prove that someone is right or free from blame.

The new evidence finally vindicated the man wrongly accused of theft.
2

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

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

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to prove that someone is... clear exonerate absolve acquit

Word family

Forms vindicatedvindicatesvindicating

Derived forms vindicationvindicatorvindictive

Simplified etymology

Vindicate entered English in the mid-16th century from the family of Latin vindicare, meaning “to claim” or “to avenge.” It is historically related to avenge and revenge.

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.

*weyh₁- Proto-Indo-European vindicātus Latin

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Actions & Processes Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# vindicate

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /ˈvɪn.dɪˌkeɪt/
**Frequency rank:** 53105

## Meanings
1. To prove that someone is right or free from blame.
2. To prove that a decision, belief, or action was correct or justified.

## Examples
- The new evidence finally vindicated the man wrongly accused of theft.
- The team's success vindicated the coach's risky strategy.

## Derived Forms
- vindication
- vindicator
- vindictive

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: *weyh₁-
- Root: vindicātus

## 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.

## AI Etymology
Vindicate is 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. In present-day use, it can mean to prove that someone is right or free from blame, or to prove that a decision, belief, or action was correct or justified. Derived formations include vindication, vindicator, and vindictive.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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