exonerate
to clear from accusation or blame
Roots
- e- / ex-: out, out of, away, or forth
- onus / oner: burden or load
Other words with the onus / oner root
Ex- gives out and onus gives burden. To exonerate is to lift the burden of accusation away.
The corrected timestamp exonerated the nurse after the medication error was traced elsewhere.
Exonerate and exculpate are close, but their images differ. Exculpate removes blame. Exonerate unloads the burden of accusation, responsibility, or suspicion.