exonerate

/ig-ˈzä-nə-ˌrāt/

Middle English, from Latin exoneratus, past participle of exonerare to unburden, from ex- + oner-, onus load

verb

  1. to relieve of a responsibility, obligation, or hardship

  2. to clear from accusation or blame

exculpate absolve exonerate acquit vindicate mean to free from a charge. exculpate implies a clearing from blame or fault often in a matter of small importance. absolve implies a release either from an obligation that binds the conscience or from the consequences of disobeying the law or committing a sin.