vindicate

/ˈvɪndɪkeɪt/ (bre, ipa) · [vˈɪndəket] /ˈvɪndɪkeɪt/ (ame, ipa) · [vˈɪndəket] /ˈvin-də-ˌkāt How to pronounce vindicate (audio)/ (ame, mw)

vindicate — verb

  • vindicatepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • vindicateshe / she / it
  • vindicatedpast simple
  • vindicating-ing form

1. to show with facts or later events that a claim, warning, or decision was correc

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to show with facts or later events that a claim, warning, or decision was correct after others doubted it.

例句

Jabari's test results vindicated his doctor's early warning about diabetes.

vindicate + warning after later proof

The audit vindicated Sari's decision to delay the factory launch.

vindicate + decision

同義詞
  • confirm

    more neutral and common, with less sense of earlier criticism

  • prove

    broader and less formal

  • substantiate

    formal and focused on giving supporting evidence

反義詞
  • disprove

    shows that the earlier claim or belief was wrong

  • undermine

    weakens confidence in a claim or decision

文法句型

vindicate + claim

vindicate + warning

vindicate + decision

用法筆記

The object is usually a belief, warning, decision, or earlier action that seemed doubtful at first. It often implies that later evidence or results settle the question.

常見錯誤

❌The doctor vindicated Jabari's blood test.
✅Jabari's blood test vindicated the doctor's warning.
💡'Vindicate' proves that a judgment or statement was right; it is not used for simply checking a test result.

2. to clear a person from blame by proving that an accusation or suspicion was unfo

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to clear a person from blame by proving that an accusation or suspicion was unfounded.

例句

Phone records vindicated Omar after the theft at the hostel.

vindicate + person after accusation

The witness statement vindicated Mira and ended months of suspicion.

evidence vindicates someone

同義詞
  • clear

    more common and less formal, especially in news reports

  • exonerate

    strong legal word for officially freeing someone from blame

  • absolve

    formal and often used for blame or moral responsibility

反義詞
  • implicate

    connects someone with a crime or wrongdoing

  • incriminate

    provides evidence that someone is guilty

文法句型

vindicate + somebody

be vindicated by evidence

vindicate + person + after accusation

用法筆記

This sense focuses on clearing a person from blame or suspicion. It is common in reports about police, courts, investigations, or formal inquiries.

常見錯誤

❌The police vindicated the stolen laptop.
✅The police vindicated Omar after finding the real thief.
💡In this sense, the object is the person who was blamed, not the thing involved in the case.

3. to protect or firmly support a right, policy, reputation, or principle when it i

3.動詞及物C2
釋義

to protect or firmly support a right, policy, reputation, or principle when it is under attack or criticism.

例句

Christopher wrote a long essay to vindicate free speech on campus.

vindicate + principle

Isabela spoke on television to vindicate the workers' right to strike.

vindicate + rights in public argument

同義詞
  • defend

    the broad everyday word for protecting something from attack

  • uphold

    stresses keeping a principle or decision in force

  • justify

    focuses more on giving reasons than on public defense

反義詞
  • condemn

    publicly says that a policy or action is wrong

  • renounce

    openly gives up support for a principle or claim

文法句型

vindicate + principle

vindicate + rights

vindicate + policy

用法筆記

Unlike sense 1, this sense is not about later proof alone. It is used when someone actively argues for a principle, policy, or reputation that is being challenged.

常見錯誤

❌The email vindicated the school rule.
✅The principal used the email to vindicate the school rule.
💡This sense usually involves someone actively defending or upholding the thing under attack.