vindication

noun

ˌvin-də-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce vindication (audio)
Definition of vindicationnext
as in pardon
a setting free from a charge of wrongdoing recanted testimony that resulted in a long-overdue vindication

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of vindication Strong feelings of certainty, relief, or vindication are often a signal that your identity has done the evaluating, not your critical thinking. — Big Think, 21 Aug. 2026 If Springfield eventually provides the $150 million, the majority will claim vindication. — Angel Gutierrez, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026 Still, that 104th and final game capped a biggest-ever tournament seen as a vindication for the FIFA president — a consensus success on the field and a financial bonanza for global soccer. — Graham Dunbar, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026 Recounting the acquittal, Sam suggests Paul’s vindication wasn’t rooted so much in the truth as in the limits of the criminal justice system. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for vindication
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vindication
  1. pardon
  2. clearing
  3. forgiveness
  4. acquittal
  5. exoneration
Noun
  • Each nutty denunciation of his imaginary tormentors includes a plea for a presidential pardon.
    — Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Flávio has promised to seek a broad amnesty for his father and others convicted over the coup attempt, and to use the presidential pardon power if Congress does not act.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of pardon
Noun
  • Islanders forward Simon Holmstrom took a puck to the face late in the first period off a clearing attempt by Rangers defenseman Sean Durzi.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Plumas National Forest, California About 100 miles northeast of California’s state capital, Derek Young stood in the middle of a clearing in Plumas National Forest.
    — Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of clearing
Noun
  • Writer-director Reed Van Dyk’s feature debut navigates tricky emotional waters but emerges as a trenchant examination of what forgiveness and penitence can look like, allowing no room for anything resembling a pat happy ending.
    — Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Eligible businesses could apply for loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration, with additional requirements for those seeking loan forgiveness.
    — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of forgiveness
Noun
  • Both the prosecution and the defense appealed that verdict, with the prosecution requesting 14 years and the defense pushing for acquittal.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Despite the acquittal, Michael never returned to Neverland Ranch.
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of acquittal
Noun
  • Internal affairs complaints The lawsuit identifies five internal complaints filed against Sumstad between December 2022 and October 2025 and alleges each was dismissed, deemed unsubstantiated or ended in her exoneration.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2026
  • In fact, Mickes and Wixted have found that, in many exoneration cases, a witness resolutely identified a person in court despite having dithered and debated during the initial photo lineup.
    — Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of exoneration

Browse Nearby Words

vindicating
vindication
vindications
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Cite this Entry

“Vindication.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vindication. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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