exoneration
exoneration — noun
1. an official decision, typically from a court or investigating body, that publicl
an official decision, typically from a court or investigating body, that publicly declares a person who was accused or blamed to be innocent and free of fault
The committee's exoneration of Dr. Okonkwo came after ten years of wrongful imprisonment.
collocation: exoneration of [person]
For the Watanabe family, the court's exoneration of their son ended a long fight.
New evidence led to the exoneration of three men who had spent years in prison.
Ms. Chatterjee waited fourteen years for exoneration and a formal apology from the state.
The report called for exoneration of the junior staff, who had followed procedures correctly.
- acquittal
narrower: specifically a court verdict of not guilty after a trial
- vindication
focuses on clearing a person's reputation after doubt or public criticism
- absolution
religious or moral context; emphasises forgiveness of sin rather than factual innocence
- clearing
less formal and more general; can refer to any removal of suspicion
- conviction
a formal finding of guilt by a court
- condemnation
strong public declaration that someone is guilty or wrong
常見錯誤
exoneration — verb
1. to officially state, after investigation or legal review, that a person did not
to officially state, after investigation or legal review, that a person did not commit the crime or wrongdoing they had been accused of
The appeals court exonerated Mr. Delgado after a key witness admitted to lying.
exonerate + [person] after new evidence
A forensic review of the documents finally exonerated the finance team of any wrongdoing.
The journalist was exonerated of all charges after the real source came forward.
After six years of investigation, the board voted to exonerate Dr. Park completely.
No one expected the footage to exonerate the exact person the police had arrested.
- acquit
narrower: a court formally finds someone not guilty after trial; does not necessarily imply actual innocence
- vindicate
emphasises clearing a reputation after public doubt or criticism, not only legal blame
- clear
less formal and more everyday; can be used in non-legal contexts
- absolve
religious or moral framing; focuses on forgiveness rather than factual proof of innocence
- convict
to formally find someone guilty of a crime
- incriminate
to make someone appear guilty of a crime or wrongdoing
文法句型
exonerate + [person] + of + [charges/crime]
be exonerated + of + [charges]
exonerate + [person] + from + [blame]
用法筆記
Subject is typically a court, tribunal, or official investigation. Often used in the passive ('was exonerated'). Distinguish from Verb/2 (FREE FROM DUTY), which is about relieving a person of obligations, not clearing their name.
常見錯誤
2. to release a person or group from a duty, obligation, or burden that they would
to release a person or group from a duty, obligation, or burden that they would otherwise have to carry
The contract exonerated the landlord from all repair duties for two years.
exonerate from + [obligation]
A clause in the agreement exonerated the company from any liability for lost packages.
Ms. Fujiwara was exonerated from jury service because of her caregiving responsibilities.
The military tribunal exonerated the young conscript from further service on medical grounds.
The law does not exonerate drivers from responsibility even in bad weather.
- exempt
more common; specifically means to free someone from a rule or obligation that applies to others
- relieve
less formal; can refer to removing a burden, duty, or emotional weight
- release
broader; covers freeing from any kind of constraint, not only formal obligations
- discharge
formal; often used in military or professional contexts for ending a duty or role
文法句型
exonerate + [person] + from + [duty/obligation/liability]
用法筆記
Object is typically a duty, obligation, or burden, not a person. Common in legal contracts and formal agreements. Distinguish from Verb/1 (CLEAR OF GUILT), where the focus is on proving innocence rather than removing a responsibility.