vindicate

Pronunciation: VIN-dih-kayt

verb

Definition of vindicate

To clear someone of blame or suspicion

Synonyms for vindicate

vindicate in a Sentence

  1. The newly discovered evidence served to vindicate the wrongly accused man.

Why vindicate Matters for GRE & SAT

"vindicate" is a verb that means "To clear someone of blame or suspicion" closely related to words like "exonerate", "absolve", "justify". As a word starting with V, it belongs to a cluster of GRE and SAT vocabulary that test-takers often encounter in Verbal Reasoning, Text Completion, and Reading Comprehension sections.

On the GRE, understanding "vindicate" helps you distinguish between closely related answer choices in Sentence Equivalence questions. On the SAT, recognizing this word in context strengthens your performance on Craft & Structure and Words in Context questions. Seeing how "vindicate" is used in sentences — like the examples above — builds the contextual understanding that standardized tests reward.

Study tip: Start with the definition and part of speech (verb). Then learn its 3 synonyms to build a word network. Finally, practice with spaced repetition to move "vindicate" into long-term memory.

How to Remember vindicate

One effective way to remember "vindicate" (verb) is to group it with similar words you already know: "exonerate" and "absolve" and "justify". When you encounter "vindicate" on a test, these synonym connections help you quickly recall its meaning — "To clear someone of blame or suspicion".

Use flashcard apps with spaced repetition to review "vindicate" at increasing intervals until it becomes automatic.

  • vacillate — To alternate between different opinions or actions
  • vacuous — lacking intelligence or thought
  • valid — Having a sound basis in logic or fact; reasonable
  • valid — Having a sound basis; legally acceptable

More Vocabulary Words Starting with V

  • vacillate — To alternate between different opinions or actions
  • vacillate — go back and forth with one's view
  • vacillate — go back and forth with one's view
  • vacuous — lacking intelligence or thought
  • vacuous — lacking intelligence or thought
  • valid — Having a sound basis in logic or fact; reasonable
  • valid — Having a sound basis in logic or fact; reasonable
  • valid — Having a sound basis; legally acceptable
  • valid — Having a sound basis in logic or fact; reasonable
  • valid — Having a sound basis in logic or fact; reasonable