vindicate

Verb

Meaning

To lay claim to; to assert a right to; to claim.

To maintain or defend with success; to prove to be valid; to assert convincingly; to sustain against assault; as, to vindicate a right, claim, or title.

To support or maintain as true or correct, against denial, censure, or objections; to defend; to justify.

To maintain, as a law or a cause, by overthrowing enemies.

To liberate; to set free; to deliver.

To avenge; to punish; as, a war to vindicate or punish infidelity.

Source: Webster's dictionary

Synonyms

claim maintain justify support free clear whitewash explain prove defend justified discharge revenge sustain confirm
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Antonyms

attack chastise chasten charge block sentence
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Hypernyms

clear maintain defend discharge uphold acquit

Hyponyms

explain legitimate warrant excuse

Phrases with the word

to vindicate

Derivatives

vindicated vindicating

Examples

Have patience awhile slanders are not long-lived. Truth is the child of time ere long she shall appear to vindicate thee. Immanuel Kant

There is no greater challenge than to have someone relying upon you; no greater satisfaction than to vindicate his expectation. Kingman Brewster, Jr.

[L]egal challenges to undue restrictions on abortion procedures do not seek to vindicate some generalized notion of privacy; rather, they center on a woman's autonomy to determine her life's course, and thus to enjoy equal citizenship stature. Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Psychology keeps trying to vindicate human nature. History keeps undermining the effort. Mason Cooley

Christians take Scriptures out of context to try to justify or to vindicate retreat and cowardice. Randall Terry

I hope to God that the inner strength that will vindicate my deeds will in good time spring forth from my own people. I have done as I had to on the prompting of my inner voice. Kurt Huber

Close letter words and terms

vindicable vindical vindicat. vindicated vindication vindicative