EXCULPATE

acquit, assoil, clear, discharge, exonerate, exculpate

(verb) pronounce not guilty of criminal charges; “The suspect was cleared of the murder charges”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Verb

exculpate (third-person singular simple present exculpates, present participle exculpating, simple past and past participle exculpated)

To clear of or to free from guilt; exonerate.

Synonyms

• absolve

• acquit

• disculpate

• exonerate

• pardon

Antonyms

• condemn

• inculpate

• indict

Source: Wiktionary

Ex*cul"pate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Exculpated, p. pr. & vb. n.. Exculpating ( Etym: [L. ex out + culpatus, p. p. of culpare to find fault with, to blame, culpa fault. See Culpable.]

Definition: To clear from alleged fault or guilt; to prove to be guiltless; to relieve of blame; to acquit. He exculpated himself from being the author of the heroic epistle. Mason. I exculpate him further for his writing against me. Milman.

Syn.

– To exonerate; absolve; clear; acquit; excuse; vindicate; justify.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition