vindication

[vin-di-key-shuh n] /ˌvɪn dɪˈkeɪ ʃən/
noun
1.
the act of vindicating.
2.
the state of being vindicated.
3.
defense; excuse; justification:
Poverty was a vindication for his thievery.
4.
something that vindicates:
Subsequent events were her vindication.
Origin
1475-85; < Latin vindicātiōn- (stem of vindicātiō), equivalent to vindicāt(us) (see vindicate) + -iōn- -ion
Related forms
nonvindication, noun
revindication, noun
self-vindication, noun
Examples from the web for vindication
  • Alas, a dark cloud hangs over the mood of vindication.
  • The vindication came not from fossils, or from specimens of living creatures, or from dissection of their organs.
  • He's not interested in evidence that would offer vindication.
  • But it is not enough to shrug and wait for that joyous feeling of vindication.
  • vindication and vindictiveness can morph into one another.
  • Some measure of a feeling of vindication is justified.
  • The book was quickly brandished by the left as vindication of social democracy.
  • The deliverymen hailed the settlement as a vindication of their rights.
  • The discovery was a vindication for some and a surprise to others.
  • Scientists know that without experimental vindication their proposals are likely to wither.
British Dictionary definitions for vindication

vindication

/ˌvɪndɪˈkeɪʃən/
noun
1.
the act of vindicating or the condition of being vindicated
2.
a means of exoneration from an accusation
3.
a fact, evidence, circumstance, etc, that serves to vindicate a theory or claim
Word Origin and History for vindication
n.

late 15c., "act of avenging, revenge," from Latin vindicationem (nominative vindicatio) "act of claiming or avenging," from vindicare "to set free, lay claim to, assert, avenge" (related to vindicta "revenge"), probably from vim dicare "to show authority," from vim, accusative of vis "force" + root of dicere "to say" (see diction). Meaning "justification by proof, defense against censure" is attested from 1640s.