VINDICATE

justify, vindicate

(verb) show to be right by providing justification or proof; “vindicate a claim”

vindicate

(verb) clear of accusation, blame, suspicion, or doubt with supporting proof; “You must vindicate yourself and fight this libel”

vindicate

(verb) maintain, uphold, or defend; “vindicate the rights of the citizens”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Verb

vindicate (third-person singular simple present vindicates, present participle vindicating, simple past and past participle vindicated)

(transitive) To clear of an accusation, suspicion or criticism.

(transitive) To justify by providing evidence.

(transitive) To maintain or defend (a cause) against opposition.

(transitive) To provide justification for.

(transitive) To lay claim to; to assert a right to; to claim.

(transitive, obsolete) To liberate; to set free; to deliver.

(transitive, obsolete) To avenge; to punish

Source: Wiktionary

Vin"di*cate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Vindicated; p. pr. & vb. n. Vindicating.] Etym: [L. vindicatus, p. p. of vindicare to lay claim to, defend, avenge. See Vengeance.]

1. To lay claim to; to assert a right to; to claim. [R.] Is thine alone the seed that strews the plain The birds of heaven shall vindicate their grain. Pope.

2. To maintain or defend with success; to prove to be valid; to assert convincingly; to sustain against assault; as, to vindicate a right, claim, or title.

3. To support or maintain as true or correct, against denial, censure, or objections; to defend; to justify. When the respondent denies any proposition, the opponent must directly vindicate . . . that proposition. I. Watts. Laugh where we must, be candid where we can, But vindicate the ways of God to man. Pope.

4. To maintain, as a law or a cause, by overthrowing enemies. Milton.

5. To liberate; to set free; to deliver. [Obs.] I am confident he deserves much more That vindicates his country from a tyrant Than he that saves a citizen. Massinger.

6. To avenge; to punish; as, a war to vindicate or punish infidelity. [Obs.] Bacon. God is more powerful to exact subjection and to vindicate rebellion. Bp. Pearson.

Syn.

– To assert; maintain; claim. See Assert.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition