exculpate

USAGE SUMMARY

'exculpate' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a verb which means to free from blame, exonerate, or absolve from a charge of fault or wrongdoing. Example sentence: The lawyer tried to exculpate his client by introducing new evidence.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

But that does not exculpate the perpetrators of last week's onslaught, just as the Versailles treaty does not excuse Auschwitz: whatever their grievances, nothing could excuse an attack of such ferocity and size.

The Economist

Despite efforts by loyal disciples like Ernest Jones to exculpate Freud from blame, subsequent research concerning his relations with former disciples like Viktor Tausk have clouded the picture considerably.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Boniface VIII's personal failings, however, can in no way exculpate Philip IV the Fair and his ministers, who used forgery, defamation, intimidation, and finally violence against the Pope.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By contrast, DNA can exculpate a suspect with absolute certainty.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A year later he also sought to exculpate himself in the pages of a ghost-written autobiography, Between the Lines.

Independent

Nor, equally, did she try to exculpate herself.

Independent

Agents of the Croatian government lure a Croat and kidnap a Serb to serve as look-alike stand-ins for a pair of vanished witnesses who could exculpate a Croatian colonel who is accused of war crimes, locking the two in a safe house so that they can invent their own backstories and rehearse their testimony.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Besides exculpating Turner, Mr Ramsey also exposes several persistent myths: there were no heavy munitions, no devastating second explosion (rifle rounds were found to burn harmlessly like fire-crackers, and not detonate), no Canadian troops and no British plot to sacrifice a ship to bring America to war.Diana Preston takes a more personal approach.

The Economist

Philanthropy no more canonises the good businessman than it exculpates the bad.

The Economist

The New York-based Innocence Project, which provides free legal representation to people who it hopes can be exculpated on the basis of DNA evidence, counts no fewer than 268 such exonerations since 1989.

The Economist

The truth is less exculpating for him, and more worrying for Mr Brown.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exculpate", ensure the context provides a clear understanding of what the person is being cleared from. Clarity is key to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "exculpate" when "excuse" is more appropriate. "Exculpate" implies a formal clearance from blame, whereas "excuse" suggests a justification or explanation for a behavior, without necessarily removing responsibility.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "exculpate" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating the person or entity being cleared from blame or guilt. As Ludwig AI indicates, the word follows standard grammar rules and has plenty of usage examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Exculpate" is a versatile verb used to describe the act of clearing someone from blame, often through the presentation of evidence or justification. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term adheres to standard grammar rules and is commonly used in various contexts. Its usage spans from legal and ethical discussions to formal reports and news articles. While synonyms like "absolve", "acquit", and "exonerate" exist, "exculpate" carries a nuanced meaning that emphasizes the removal of blame, making it a valuable term in precise communication. Remember to use it when you aim to highlight the act of proving someone's innocence, especially in formal or official settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolve

Similar to exculpate, but often implies a formal or religious forgiveness of sin or wrongdoing.

acquit

Specifically refers to a legal declaration that someone is not guilty of a crime.

exonerate

Implies a complete clearing of blame, often after a thorough investigation.

vindicate

Suggests proving someone's innocence after they have been wrongly accused.

declare innocent

A straightforward statement that someone is not guilty.

clear

A more general term for removing suspicion or blame.

prove not guilty

Emphasizes the action of demonstrating someone's lack of guilt.

justify

To show or prove to be right or reasonable; to defend or uphold as warranted or well-grounded.

discharge

To relieve of a charge, load, responsibility, or accumulation.

set free

A more informal way of saying that someone is no longer being blamed or held responsible.

FAQs

How do you use "exculpate" in a sentence?

You can use "exculpate" to describe the act of clearing someone of blame. For example: "The new evidence served to exculpate the defendant".

What is the difference between "exculpate" and "exonerate"?

"Exculpate" and "exonerate" are similar, but "exonerate" often implies a more thorough and complete clearing of blame, frequently after an investigation.

Which words are synonyms for "exculpate"?

Synonyms for "exculpate" include "absolve", "acquit", "exonerate", and "vindicate".

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "exculpate"?

"Exculpate" is suitable for legal, ethical, and formal situations where you need to express the act of clearing someone of blame or wrongdoing.