vindicate

vindicate
    v 1: show to be right by providing justification or proof;
         "vindicate a claim" [syn: {justify}, {vindicate}]
    2: maintain, uphold, or defend; "vindicate the rights of the
       citizens"
    3: clear of accusation, blame, suspicion, or doubt with
       supporting proof; "You must vindicate yourself and fight this
       libel"
    

Vindicate \Vin"di*cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Vindicated}; p.
   pr. & vb. n. {Vindicating}.] [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.]
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            Is thine alone the seed that strews the plain?
            The birds of heaven shall vindicate their grain.
                                                  --Pope.
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   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.
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   3. To support or maintain as true or correct, against denial,
      censure, or objections; to defend; to justify.
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            When the respondent denies any proposition, the
            opponent must directly vindicate . . . that
            proposition.                          --I. Watts.
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            Laugh where we must, be candid where we can,
            But vindicate the ways of God to man. --Pope.
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   4. To maintain, as a law or a cause, by overthrowing enemies.
      --Milton.
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   5. To liberate; to set free; to deliver. [Obs.]
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            I am confident he deserves much more
            That vindicates his country from a tyrant
            Than he that saves a citizen.         --Massinger.
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   6. To avenge; to punish; as, a war to vindicate or punish
      infidelity. [Obs.] --Bacon.
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            God is more powerful to exact subjection and to
            vindicate rebellion.                  --Bp. Pearson.
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   Syn: To assert; maintain; claim. See {Assert}.
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63 Moby Thesaurus words for "vindicate":
      absolve, account for, acquit, advocate, amnesty, argue, assert,
      bear out, claim, clear, confute, contend, cry sour grapes,
      decontaminate, defend, destigmatize, discharge, dismiss,
      dispense from, disprove, do justice to, exculpate, excuse, exempt,
      exempt from, exonerate, explain, forgive, free, give absolution,
      grant amnesty to, grant immunity, grant remission, guard, justify,
      let go, let off, nonpros, pardon, plead for, protect, prove, purge,
      quash the charge, rationalize, redress, refute, rehabilitate,
      reinstate, release, remit, restore, revenge, second, set free,
      shield, shrive, spiteful, support, uphold, warrant, whitewash,
      withdraw the charge