exonerate himself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exonerate himself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone is trying to clear themselves of blame or wrongdoing. Example: "After the investigation, he was able to exonerate himself from all accusations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

"I mean, wouldn't Diggs want to exonerate himself?

The New Yorker

Assad sought to exonerate himself from the August attack in which hundreds died.

The Guardian

He had yet to exonerate himself from the self-imposed charge of having failed to save Mao's life.

The New Yorker

As she is beaten by soldiers, her lover watches in silence, "adopting an inquiring look as if to exonerate himself".

The New Yorker

Is it as an act of contrition, to explain or exonerate himself, or is it something far less charitable?

The New Yorker

In Mr. Cooper's case, Mr. Scheidegger said, the defendant has been given ample opportunity to exonerate himself.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Ordóñez said he was not exonerating himself, but added, "All the weight's not on me".

The New York Times - Sports

Yet as Bettison toured TV and radio studios this week exonerating himself from any wrongdoing, his purpose in writing this book has become evident.

The Guardian - Sport

It emerged that Sir Norman, who exonerated himself the day after the panel reported, also faces a complaint that he sought to influence his own West Yorkshire police authority before it referred his alleged misconduct to the IPCC.

The Guardian - Sport

Moments after learning about Putin's assertion, Mueller hastily assembled his staff of investigators to inform them that, now that Putin had fully exonerated himself, there was no point in continuing the probe.

The New Yorker

Soon afterward, he was able to pay, because a man read about his case in the newspaper and decided to help him out, but he feels that he has never exonerated himself in the public mind.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exonerate himself" when you want to emphasize that someone is actively working to remove blame or suspicion from themselves, especially in formal or legal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "exonerate himself" when the context requires merely offering an excuse. "Exonerate" implies a formal clearing of wrongdoing, while "excuse" suggests a justification or reason for an action, not necessarily proving innocence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exonerate himself" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action taken by an individual to clear themselves of blame or wrongdoing. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and common occurrence in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Encyclopedias

17%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exonerate himself" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of clearing oneself from blame or suspicion. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage across varied contexts, primarily in news, encyclopedias and wikis. While alternatives like "vindicate himself" or "clear his name" exist, "exonerate himself" often carries a more formal tone, implying a deliberate effort to prove one's innocence, especially in scenarios with legal or public scrutiny. Thus, the phrase provides a useful and versatile tool for describing actions taken to dispel accusations and restore one's reputation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vindicate himself

Similar meaning, but emphasizes proving one's innocence after suspicion.

exculpate himself

Synonymous, but less commonly used than "exonerate".

clear his name

A more common and simpler way to express the same idea.

prove his innocence

Focuses specifically on demonstrating that he did not commit the act.

absolve himself

Similar to exonerate, but can also imply a moral or religious cleansing.

acquit himself

Refers specifically to being found not guilty in a formal setting, like a court.

justify his actions

Implies providing reasons to make his behavior understandable or acceptable, but not necessarily innocent.

defend himself

Focuses on arguing against accusations, rather than proving innocence.

whitewash his reputation

Suggests concealing faults rather than genuinely proving innocence, and carries negative connotations.

redeem himself

Implies that the person has made mistakes but is attempting to restore their reputation.

FAQs

How can I use "exonerate himself" in a sentence?

You can use "exonerate himself" to describe someone proving their innocence or clearing themselves of blame. For example, "He worked tirelessly to "exonerate himself" from the accusations made against him".

What's the difference between "exonerate himself" and "vindicate himself"?

"Exonerate himself" generally means to clear oneself from blame or wrongdoing. "Vindicate himself" implies proving one's righteousness or justification after being doubted or challenged. While similar, "vindicate himself" suggests a stronger element of proving doubters wrong.

Are there any formal alternatives to "exonerate himself"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "acquit himself" or "absolve himself" in more formal or legal contexts. These alternatives also imply a clearing of guilt or responsibility.

When is it appropriate to use "exonerate himself"?

It is appropriate to use "exonerate himself" when someone is actively trying to clear their name or prove their innocence, particularly in situations involving accusations, legal proceedings, or public scrutiny. It suggests a deliberate effort to remove blame.