vindicate

USAGE SUMMARY

"vindicate" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an intransitive verb which means to clear someone from blame or suspicion, or to provide justification or support for an action or belief. For example: The court case vindicated the innocence of the accused.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The 8th amendment "acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect and, as far as practicable by its laws, to defend and vindicate that right".

The Guardian

The MDC seized on the figures, however, claiming they vindicate its position that the elections were a "monumental farce" that "stole the people's victory".

The Guardian

Jeremic, who will be in The Hague for the ruling, had said earlier that he expected a decision to vindicate Serbia, which would lead to new negotiations on both sides.

The Guardian

Despite Sobyanin's use of the "administrative resource" and skewed media coverage, however, Navalny got an impressive 27% of the vote – not enough to force a second round, but enough to vindicate those in the Kremlin who felt he should never have been allowed to stand in the first place.

The Guardian

We wonder why the victor should be afraid of the people and the actions by the police vindicate the MDC's position that Zanu-PF using ZEC stole the people's victory.

The Guardian

In a new book Henry Kissinger, the doyen of foreign-policy strategists, describes a world in which disorder threatens, and violence in Ukraine and the Middle East and tensions in the South China Sea vindicate him.

The Economist

Success would vindicate those who died on the Maidan, and surprise sceptics in Brussels.

The Economist

It would vindicate his strategy of putting pressure on the international institutions by threatening to default on Argentina's debts to them.

The Economist

While the market for subprime mortgage debt is moribund, investors have renewed appetite for lower-quality car debt: a recent issue by Santander was increased from $675m to $950m because of demand.All this would seem to vindicate TD's bullishness, even if its goal of a 20% return on invested capital within four years looks optimistic.

The Economist

And it fell to Mr Saakashvili, Moscow's hate-figure, to vindicate the reset.

The Economist

Of course, that may simply vindicate Mr Romney for saying Obamacare robbed Medicare for current retirees.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "vindicate", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being cleared from accusation or justified. Use it when there's a need to defend or uphold something against opposition or doubt.

Common error

Avoid using "vindicate" to mean 'avenge'. "Vindicate" means to clear from blame or to justify, whereas 'avenge' means to inflict harm in return for an injury or wrong. These have distinct meanings and should not be used interchangeably.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "vindicate" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating what or whom is being cleared from blame or justified. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vindicate" is a versatile transitive verb used to clear someone from blame or justify an action or belief. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability, as demonstrated by its frequent usage in formal and neutral contexts, especially in news and media. To avoid misuse, remember that "vindicate" should not be used to mean 'avenge'. Alternative phrases like "justify" or "exonerate" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context. By understanding its nuances and appropriate usage, writers can effectively use "vindicate" to express justification, defense, or clearance in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

justify

Emphasizes providing a rationale or excuse for an action or belief.

exonerate

Specifically clears someone from blame or accusation.

absolve

Releases someone from guilt, obligation, or punishment.

defend

Focuses on protecting or upholding someone or something against attack or criticism.

uphold

Maintains or supports something in the face of opposition.

substantiate

Provides evidence to support the truth of a claim.

authenticate

Proves that something is genuine or valid.

verify

Confirms the truth or accuracy of something.

corroborate

Supports a statement or theory with additional evidence.

validate

Demonstrates or supports the validity of something.

FAQs

How can I use "vindicate" in a sentence?

Use "vindicate" to show that someone or something has been cleared of blame or has been justified. For example, "New evidence may "vindicate" the defendant's claims of innocence".

What are some alternatives to using "vindicate"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "justify", "exonerate", or "defend" instead of "vindicate".

Which is correct: "vindicate" or "indicate"?

"Vindicate" means to clear from blame or suspicion, or to justify, while "indicate" means to point out or show. Although they sound similar, they have very different meanings. Make sure to use the one that best reflects your intended meaning.

What's the difference between "vindicate" and "validate"?

"Vindicate" implies clearing from accusation or proving right after doubt, while "validate" simply means to confirm or support the validity of something. Use ""vindicate"" when something has been questioned, and "validate" when something needs confirmation.