To clear someone of blame or responsibility, especially by providing evidence that proves their innocence.
From Latin 'exonerare' (ex- 'out' + 'onerare' 'to burden'), meaning 'to free from burden,' this verb entered English in the 16th century with its legal meaning of clearing one's name.
Notice the root: 'onus' (burden). When evidence 'exonerates' someone, it literally lifts the burden of guilt off their shoulders. DNA evidence that frees wrongly convicted prisoners exonerates them from decades of false burden.
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