vindicate

Meaning

Verb

• To clear of an accusation, suspicion or criticism.
• To justify by providing evidence.
• To maintain or defend (a cause) against opposition.
• To provide justification for.
• To lay claim to; to assert a right to; to claim.
• To liberate; to set free; to deliver.
• To avenge; to punish

Origin

• Borrowed from Latin vindicātus, perfect passive participle of vindicō, from vim, accusative singular of vīs, + dīcō. See avenge.