vindication

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vindication" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of clearing someone of blame or suspicion, or proving that something is justified or valid. Example: "After years of being accused of wrongdoing, the new evidence provided a sense of vindication for her actions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But instead of feeling vindication, or at least relief for having told their stories, some of these women are now filled with dread, because Kevin Donovan – the Toronto Star investigative reporter with whom I reported the allegations against Ghomeshi – is writing a "tell-tale, behind the scenes" book about Ghomeshi's "secret life".

The Guardian - Opinion

The verdict is also a clear vindication for Essendon coach James Hird who was suspended for 12 months in August 2013 as part of a range of heavy penalties handed down by the AFL over the supplements program.

The Guardian - Sport

I talked to Thatcher about my concern that any compromise then would have fatal long-term consequences, given Scargill's capacity to present such an outcome as a vindication of his stand.

The Guardian

Empey's victory would not only be portrayed as a comeback for the UUP but also as a vindication of his decision to enter into a formal alliance with David Cameron.

The Guardian

That reality, and its vindication of the miners' stand, is well understood 30 years later, and reflected in the power of contemporary films such as Pride and the new documentary Still the Enemy Within.

The Guardian - Opinion

He added that he won't rest until he receives "total and absolute vindication".

The Guardian

Thursday night's result was a vindication for Cameron's much-criticised decision to run a largely negative campaign, stressing the risks to Britain's still-fragile economic recovery of a Labour government that would overspend and drive away investors through taxes aimed at the wealthy and their tax-avoiding practices.

The Guardian

In one sweeping column, he hailed the 1704 capture of Gibraltar "as an opening chapter in democracy's vindication", noted "profound echoes" with today's struggles against autocrats in the Muslim world, and even suggested that "far-sighted" Spaniards might learn to see Britain's Iberian outpost as the rock on which western success was built.

The Guardian

That, says Mark Jaycox of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a civil-liberties-minded pressure group, is a partial vindication of Mr Snowden's whistleblowing.Civil-liberties campaigners are now raising questions about the oversight of the intelligence agencies.

The Economist

They are vindication of a recent reform to make the chairmen elected by a cross-party vote.

The Economist

Palestinians see both UN and Saudi positions as vindication of Mr Arafat's long-held negotiating position.As for the Palestinian militias, they are now united around a merciless strategy aimed at Israelis.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vindication" when you want to emphasize the clearing of blame or the justification of an action or belief after a period of doubt or opposition.

Common error

Don't use "vindication" when simple confirmation or validation is more appropriate. "Vindication" implies a prior challenge or accusation that has now been successfully refuted.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "vindication" is as a noun, referring to the act of clearing someone of blame or suspicion, or proving the validity of a claim. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vindication" is a commonly used noun that describes the act of being cleared of blame or having one's actions justified. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and it finds frequent application in news, formal business, and scientific contexts. While maintaining a neutral register, "vindication" implies a previous challenge or doubt that has been successfully overcome. When using "vindication", it's important to ensure that the context involves a prior challenge or accusation, and to consider alternatives like "exoneration" or "justification" if a simpler confirmation is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exoneration from blame

Highlights the act of clearing someone from accusations of wrongdoing.

acquittal of charges

Specifically refers to being found not guilty in a legal setting.

proof of justification

Emphasizes providing evidence that supports a claim or action.

clearing of suspicion

Focuses on removing doubts or distrust surrounding someone or something.

substantiation of a claim

Highlights the act of providing solid evidence to back up a statement.

confirmation of correctness

Focuses on verifying that something is accurate or without error.

demonstration of validity

Highlights proving that something is acceptable or effective.

defense of a position

Emphasizes arguing in favor of a specific viewpoint or stance.

rehabilitation of reputation

Emphasizes restoring someone's good name after it has been damaged.

upholding of integrity

Focuses on maintaining moral principles and honesty.

FAQs

How to use "vindication" in a sentence?

Use "vindication" to describe the act of proving something right after it has been questioned or doubted. For example, "The court's decision provided "vindication" for his long-held beliefs".

What can I say instead of "vindication"?

You can use alternatives like "exoneration", "justification", or "confirmation" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "vindication" or "validation"?

"Vindication" and "validation" are similar but not interchangeable. "Validation" simply confirms something is correct, while "vindication" implies a previous challenge or doubt that has now been overcome.

What's the difference between "vindication" and "acquittal"?

"Acquittal" specifically refers to being found not guilty in a court of law. "Vindication" is broader and can refer to being cleared of any type of accusation or having one's actions justified.