Words / B2

ig-ZON-uh-rayt/ɪɡˈzɒnəreɪt/

To exonerate is to officially declare that someone is not to blame: exonerate from / of; exonerated by the inquiry. Acquit is the court twin; clear is everyday; absolve is often moral or religious. The inquiry exonerated the clerk; still name the report and the date. Mix-up: exonerate vs exaggerate; execute (already in a higher list); do not write exonerate for a person still named as responsible in the source.

Meaning

To officially declare that someone is not to blame (exonerate from / of).

Examples

• “The inquiry exonerated the clerk; still name the report and the date, the citizenship paper said.”
• “Exonerated of the charge featured in the court list, which is the legal-clearing sense — still name the court.”

Good to know

exonerate someone from / of; exonerated by. Close: acquit / clear / absolve. Contrast: convict / accuse (already in B2). Trap: exaggerate / execute. Citizenship and history. Officially clear someone of blame — name the report and the date.

Near in meaning

acquit, clear, absolve

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