[ex.on.er.ate] vt -at.ed ; -at.ing [ME, fr. L exoneratus, pp. of exonerare to unburden, fr. ex- + oner-, onus load] (1524) 1: to relieve of a responsibility, obligation, or hardship
2: to clear from accusation or blame syn see exculpate -- ex.on.er.a.tion n -- ex.on.er.a.tive adj