exonerate
ig-ZON-uh-rayt
/ɪɡˈzɒnəreɪt/
(Especially of an official body) absolve (someone) from blame for a fault or wrongdoing, especially after due consideration of the case.
Implies a formal clearing of one's name, often through new evidence like DNA.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'ex-' (out of) and 'onus' (burden). Literally, it means to take the 'burden' of guilt off of someone's shoulders.
Word relationships
- acquit: Acquittal is a legal verdict of 'not guilty'; exoneration is a broader clearing of blame and reputation.
- convict: To formally declare someone to be guilty of a criminal offense.
Commonly confused with
- exculpate: Exculpate is more technical and means to show someone is not guilty; exonerate is more common and implies a complete clearing of the name.
Word family
- exoneration (noun): The action of officially absolving someone from blame.
Collocations
- fully exonerate
- exonerate from blame
- exonerate a defendant
Example sentences
- "DNA evidence was used to exonerate the man who had spent twenty years in prison for a crime he did not commit." Legal justice
- "To exonerate the innocent is as important as to convict the guilty." General usage
Memory hook
Ex-Onus. The 'onus' (burden) is 'ex' (gone). Remove the burden of guilt.
When not to use
Do not use if someone is simply 'not guilty' due to lack of evidence; exoneration implies they are actually innocent.
Fun facts
- The Innocence Project has helped exonerate over 375 people in the U.S. using DNA evidence.
- Exonerated individuals often still face significant challenges in reintegrating into society.
Related words
Explore more words
exoneration, acquit, vindicate, vindication, expunge, expiate
Also appears in
- Communication → Apologies & Forgiveness
- Leadership → Responsibility & Accountability
- Conflict → Accusation & Defense
- Law → Prosecution & Defense
- Law → Verdicts, Sentencing & Punishment
- Law → Prisons & Rehabilitation
- Law → Clemency, Pardons & Parole
- Criminology, Law Enforcement & Penal Systems → Forensic Science & Investigation
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