vindication

/ˌvɪndɪˈkeɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · [vɪndəkˈeʃən] /ˌvɪndɪˈkeɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · [vɪndəkˈeʃən] /ˌvin-də-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce vindication (audio)/ (ame, mw)

vindication — noun

1. the situation when an action, opinion, or belief that was previously criticised

1.名詞C1
釋義

the situation when an action, opinion, or belief that was previously criticised or doubted is later shown to be correct or justified

例句

Sahil felt a strong sense of vindication when the committee finally adopted his budget proposal.

collocation: sense of vindication

Rejected by publishers for years, the novel's late popularity was sweet vindication for its author.

passive: 'was sweet vindication for [person]'

同義詞
  • justification

    closest synonym; justification can also refer to the act of defending something, while vindication emphasises being proved right after doubt

  • confirmation

    broader term; confirmation implies simple verification, whereas vindication adds the sense of having been doubted or criticised

  • validation

    focuses on official or formal approval; less emotional than vindication

反義詞
  • condemnation

    strong public disapproval that denies correctness

  • refutation

    the act of proving something false, the opposite of being proved right

文法句型

vindication + of [belief/decision/action]

be vindication + for [person]

用法筆記

Often used with of to specify the thing proved correct (vindication of a claim) or with for to name the person who was proved right. Frequently modified by complete, ultimate, sweet, or personal.

常見錯誤

❌Critics said he would fail, so his success was sweet revenge.
✅Critics said he would fail, so his success was sweet vindication.
💡Revenge is about getting even; vindication is about being shown to be right.
❌The evidence brought vindication that the old bridge was unsafe.
✅The evidence brought vindication of the engineer's warning that the old bridge was unsafe.
💡Vindication refers to the correct belief or person, not to the thing that was feared.

2. the situation when a person who was previously blamed, accused, or suspected is

2.名詞C1
釋義

the situation when a person who was previously blamed, accused, or suspected is shown to be innocent or free from fault

例句

The DNA evidence provided complete vindication for Imani, who had spent three years under suspicion.

collocation: complete vindication for [person]

Rachel's vindication came when an independent report showed she had followed every safety rule correctly.

pattern: '[possessive] vindication came when...'

同義詞
  • exoneration

    formal legal term for being officially cleared of blame; narrower and more technical than vindication

  • acquittal

    specific to criminal trials where a court finds a defendant not guilty; narrower than vindication

  • clearance

    less formal; can mean being cleared of suspicion without a full legal process

反義詞
  • conviction

    being found guilty, the opposite of being proved innocent

  • blame

    responsibility for wrongdoing, which vindication removes

  • condemnation

    strong expression of disapproval or guilt

文法句型

vindication + of [person]

vindication + from [blame/accusation]

用法筆記

Common in legal and journalistic contexts. Unlike sense 1 (proving a belief correct), this sense always involves a person who was blamed, accused, or suspected. Frequently followed by from to name the accusation (vindication from the charges) or of to name the person absolved.

常見錯誤

❌The court ordered vindication of the victim with ten years in prison.
✅The court's decision brought vindication for the wrongly accused defendant.
💡Vindication clears someone of blame; it does not refer to punishment.