NSW Selective & Scholarship

Learn “Exculpate”

A free exam-vocabulary guide with a precise meaning, natural context and a memory connection that makes the word easier to retrieve.

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NSW Selective & Scholarship

Exculpate

verb/EKS-kul-pate/

Meaning

To show that someone is not guilty and free them from blame.

In context

Her honest explanation exculpated the whole team from any blame for the mess.

Remember it

Exculpate holds 'culp' (fault/culprit) with 'ex' (out): take the fault out of someone.

Use it well

Use 'exculpate' for clearing someone of blame, the opposite of 'accuse'.