Exculpate - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
To exculpate means to clear someone from blame or guilt, proving their innocence. It is often used in legal contexts when evidence shows a person did not commit a wrongdoing.
Definition:
To clear from blame or guilt; declare innocent.
Synonyms:
absolve, acquit, exonerate, vindicate
Part of Speech:
verb
Antonyms:
accuse, blame, condemn
Common Collocations:
exculpate oneself, exculpate the accused, evidence to exculpate
Derivatives:
exculpation, exculpatory
Usage Tips:
Use "exculpate" in legal or formal contexts to indicate clearing someone of wrongdoing with evidence or argument.
Common Phrases:
exculpate oneself from blame, efforts to exculpate
Etymology:
From Latin "ex-" (out of) + "culpa" (blame), meaning to free from blame.
Examples:
- 1. The new evidence helped exculpate the wrongly accused man.
- 2. She tried to exculpate herself by providing an alibi for that night.
- 3. The lawyer’s goal was to exculpate his client using witness testimony.
- 4. No amount of excuses could exculpate him from his reckless actions.