Vindication

Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Word of the Day

What is Vindication?

noun
The action of clearing someone of blame or suspicion; justification.

Pronunciation

US pronunciation: /ˌvɪn.dəˈkeɪ.ʃən/
UK pronunciation: /ˌvɪn.dɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/
Slow pronunciation: vin-duh-KAY-shun

Meaning Explained

Vindication refers to the act of being proven right or innocent, especially after being doubted, accused, or criticized — it carries emotional and moral weight.

Why This Word?

Chosen to reflect how truth, when revealed, can restore dignity and silence critics — a powerful human experience across history and storytelling.

Examples of Use

Here's how this word appears in everyday language:

  • The verdict brought a long-awaited sense of vindication.
  • Her vindication came when the real culprit confessed.
  • History has provided vindication for those once dismissed as radicals.

Word Origins

Latin vindicare meaning “to claim, avenge, or set free”

From legal and moral contexts; historically linked to justice, retribution, and the restoration of honor.

First appearance in English: 15th century

Word Family

Related forms of this word:

  • Verb: vindicate

    The evidence vindicated her claims.

  • Noun: vindicator

    He became a vindicator of the wrongly accused.

  • Adjective: vindicated

    She felt vindicated by the results.

Around the World

How this word appears in other languages:

  • Spanish: vindicación
  • French: justification
  • German: Rehabilitation
  • Italian: rivendicazione
  • Portuguese: reivindicação

If you Already Know This Word

If you've mastered this word, try these more advanced alternatives:

Justice

“Justice” refers to fairness and systems; “vindication” is personal and emotional.

Exoneration

“Exoneration” is legal; “vindication” adds a moral and emotional dimension.

Redemption

“Redemption” involves recovery or salvation; “vindication” is about proving one’s truth or innocence.

Fun Facts

  • The word shares roots with “vengeance,” though it reflects truth and justice rather than punishment.
  • Mary Wollstonecraft’s famous work “A Vindication of the Rights of Woman” argued for female equality in 1792.

Cultural Usage

  • Galileo’s vindication came centuries after his death, when the Church acknowledged his scientific contributions.
  • The posthumous exoneration of wrongly convicted individuals is a form of moral vindication.

Common Mistakes

Often confused with “revenge”; vindication is about being proven right, not punishing others.

Micro Story

After years of ridicule, the scientist’s theory was confirmed — a moment of complete vindication.