From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishvindicatevin‧di‧cate /ˈvɪndɪkeɪt/ verb [transitive] formal 1 SCTto prove that someone who was blamed for something is in fact not guilty The charges are false, and we are sure we will be vindicated in court.2 PROVEto prove that someone or something is right or true SYN justify The decision to advertise has been vindicated by the fact that sales have grown. —vindication /ˌvɪndɪˈkeɪʃən/ noun [singular, uncountable]→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
vindicate• Only to Amy did she admit how triumphant she felt, and how vindicated.• Retaining all 12 available World Cup players, the faith of the West Indies selectors was thoroughly vindicated.• Several tests have fully vindicated Einstein's theory.• They vindicated her theory of the adult beginner; they proved what could happen.• He left claiming that history would vindicate him.• Their Lord had vindicated his people and honored their suffering and their struggles.• That a minority did succeed, however, again seemed to vindicate their technique.Origin vindicate (1500-1600) Latin past participle of vindicare “to claim, avenge”, from vindex “person who claims, avenger” 