noun

exoneration

ig-zah-nuh-RAY-shun/ɪɡˌzɑːnəˈreɪʃn/

The act of clearing someone of blame or guilt.

The new evidence leads to her exoneration after years of suspicion.

A compact before-and-after scene shows a woman wrongly blamed for a broken plant pot, then cleared when security footage visibly reveals a cat knocking it over.

Etymology

exLatinoff, out of

+onerLatinburden

+ationLatinaction or process

“Off” and “burden” make exoneration an act of unloading or lightening. Applied to accusations and obligations, this image turns clearing people of blame or legal responsibility into freeing them from a load.

In context

Reely Unreal9:24

this second trial marked a critical juncture in his legal battle for exoneration throughout the proceedings Edmund's defense team presented compelling evidence challenging the validity of his confession

True Crime Recaps: Framed For Murder | True Crime Documentary

More examples

The investigation ends with the employee’s complete exoneration.
He seeks exoneration, not forgiveness, because he did nothing wrong.
DNA testing has led to several exonerations of wrongly convicted prisoners.

Forms

exoneration · exonerations

exonerate verb — To clear someone of blame or guilt.

Similar words

acquittal: A court’s not-guilty verdict, not necessarily proof of innocence.
vindication: Broader proof that someone’s actions, claims, or beliefs were justified.
absolution: Often forgiveness of wrongdoing rather than a finding of innocence.