exonerated

Everyday

1. If someone is exonerated, they are officially shown or declared not guilty of something they were blamed or accused of. tree →
2. More generally, it means freed from blame. tree →

In the lessons

In law and news reports, a prisoner may be exonerated by new evidence such as DNA, after years in prison. In stories and detective tales, the innocent suspect is exonerated at the end. In everyday life, a pupil can be exonerated when the real culprit owns up. Phrases: «exonerated of», «fully exonerated», «exonerated by DNA evidence».

Examples

• The man was exonerated after DNA proved he was innocent. tree →
• The inquiry exonerated the nurse of any blame. tree →
• When the real thief confessed, Sam was exonerated. tree →
• She was fully exonerated by the court. tree →
• The video exonerated the goalkeeper. tree →
• In the story, the detective exonerated the butler. tree →

Note

Formal. Noun: exoneration. Usually «exonerated of» something or «exonerated by» evidence. Similar: cleared, acquitted (found not guilty at trial).