/ ˈvɪndɪkeɪt; NAmE / verb [ vn ] ( formal )
1.
to prove that sth is true or that you were right to do sth, especially when other people had a different opinion
SYN justify :
I have every confidence that this decision will be fully vindicated.
2.
to prove that sb is not guilty when they have been accused of doing sth wrong or illegal :
New evidence emerged, vindicating him completely.
► vin·di·ca·tion / ˌvɪndɪˈkeɪʃn; NAmE / noun [ U , sing. ]:
Anti-nuclear protesters regarded the Chernobyl accident as a clear vindication of their campaign.
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (in the sense deliver, rescue ): from Latin vindicat- claimed, avenged, from the verb vindicare , from vindex , vindic- claimant, avenger.