transitive verb vindicated -·cat′ed, vindicating -·cat′·ing

1. to clear from criticism, blame, guilt, suspicion, etc.; uphold by evidence or argument
2. to defend or maintain (a cause, claim, etc.) against opposition
3. to serve as justification for; justify a success which vindicated their belief in him
4. to lay claim to or establish possession of (something for oneself or another)
5. Obsolete
   1. to avenge
   2. to punish

Etymology: < L vindicatus, pp. of vindicare, to claim, avenge < ? vim, force (see vim) + dicere, to say: see diction