# exonerated

/ɪɡˈzɑnɝˌeɪtɪd/ (US) · /ɛɡzˈɒnəɹˌeɪtɪd/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/exonerated
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

to prove that someone is not guilty of a crime or that they did not do something wrong. It is like saying the evidence shows they are innocent.

For teachers: to clear someone of blame or guilt, typically in a legal context. Transitive — requires a direct object representing the person or entity being cleared.

## Examples

- The new evidence helped to exonerate the suspect.
- After a thorough investigation, the committee decided to exonerate the manager from any responsibility for the error.
- The historian's latest research has finally managed to exonerate the accused, proving that the original documents were forged decades after the event occurred.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.