Synonyms for exculpation
Most common
acquittal exoneration remission vindication excuse self-justification
Synonyms by meaning
Noun
1. Acquittal — the act of exculpating from alleged fault or crime
acquittal, exoneration, remission, vindication, disculpation, quittance, compurgation, discharge, absolution dated, acquittance dated
2. Excuse — that which exculpates; an excuse
excuse, self-justification, alibi, essoin
Other
Definitions
- n. 1
The act of exculpating from alleged fault or crime.
- n. 2
That which exculpates; an excuse.
Forms
- Plural
- exculpations → acquittals, exonerations, remissions, vindications…
Choose the right word
Defense, exculpation, justification, and vindication are more properly antonyms than synonyms of apology in its modern sense, and should be so given, but for their connection with its historic usage.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- remission Doctors declared Layla's cancer in remission.
- acquittal By definition the fact it’s depression means it’ll be an acquittal.
- vindication His enemy's failure in business was the ultimate vindication.
- excuse Excuse me, but where is the men's shoe department?
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| exculpation | steady | |
| remission | steady | |
| acquittal | falling | |
| vindication | steady | |
| exoneration | steady | |
| excuse | rising |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 5 letters
- alibi3
- 6 letters
- excuse2, essoin
- 9 letters
- discharge2, remission3, acquittal3, quittance
- 10 letters
- absolution4
- 11 letters
- vindication4, exoneration5, acquittance
- 12 letters
- disculpation, compurgation
- 13 letters
- justification5
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (alibi3 = 3 syllables).