Exonerate

Example sentences

• He was exonerated by the court.
• The jury set her free.

Word origin and roots

from Latin

• ex — out (from Latin)
• oner — burden (from Latin)

Synonyms and nuances

• CLEAR — free from suspicion (Informal & General)
• ACQUIT — found not guilty in court (Legal & Formal)
• ABSOLVE — freed from guilt or sin (Moral & Religious)

Words with the same root

oner — burden

• onerous — very heavy or hard to deal with
• onus — a responsibility or burden placed on someone

Lesson notes

Exonerate. It means to say someone is not guilty and remove all blame.

Similar words are clear, acquit, absolve. Use exonerate when blame is removed.

He was exonerated by the court. The jury set her free.

From Latin. Ex- means out. Oner- means burden. Burden lifted out — that is exonerate.