exonerate

exonerate Definition

ex·on·er·ate (eg zän′ər āt′, ig-)

transitive verb exonerated -·at′ed, exonerating -·at′·ing

to relieve of (a duty, obligation, etc.)
to free from a charge or the imputation of guilt; declare or prove blameless; exculpate

Etymology: < L exoneratus, pp. of exonerare, to disburden < ex-, out + onerare, to load < onus (gen. oneris), a burden: see onus

Related Forms:

exonerate Synonyms

exonerate Law Definition

To clear of guilt or responsibility, particularly to establish the innocence of a prisoner on death row. See also exculpate.

exonerate Usage Examples

Object

man: And I am sorry, Agent Doggett, but the DNA fingerprinting does indeed exonerate this man.
authority: But, to the extent that it is suggested there was never real commitment to the assessment process, I exonerate the local authority.

Modifying Another Word

not: However the Hire Purchase Act 1964 does not exonerate the seller from any liability under the finance agreement.
also: Lawyers representing the other defendants told court Dukes ' report also exonerates their clients.

Browse dictionary entries near exonerate