to clear of accusation, blame, suspicion, or doubt with supporting arguments or proof 2. to provide justification or support for 3. to justify or prove the worth of, especially in light of later developments

This word appears in Jose Saramago’s book Seeing: “At least it would be possible to proceed to an initial selection, wheat on the one side, tares on the other, and restore to liberty and family life, thereby freeing up the detention centers, those people, finally vindicated, who, without being contradicted by the machine, responded No to the question Did you cast a blank vote.”