VIN-duh-kayt
/ˈvɪndəkeɪt/
vindicate is pronounced VIN-duh-kayt (/ˈvɪndəkeɪt/). Vindicate means to clear someone of blame or suspicion, or to show that a claim or idea is true or justified by evidence. It conveys a sense of vindicating a person or proposition through corroborating facts, witnesses, or logical demonstration. In usage, it often appears in legal, ethical, or analytical contexts where proof dispels doubt.
Vindicate means to clear someone of blame or suspicion, or to show that a claim or idea is true or justified by evidence. It conveys a sense of vindicating a person or proposition through corroborating facts, witnesses, or logical demonstration. In usage, it often appears in legal, ethical, or analytical contexts where proof dispels doubt.
"The new evidence will vindicate the defendant by proving his innocence beyond reasonable doubt."
"Her meticulous data analysis vindicated the hypothesis that the policy improved outcomes."
"The journalist’s investigation helped vindicate the community’s concerns about the project."
Pronounce VIN-di-cate with three syllables: /ˈvɪn.dɪ.keɪt/. The primary stress is on the first syllable, with a short i on the second syllable and a long -ate ending that sounds like -kayt. Mouth position: start with a relaxed jaw, lips neutral; cluster /ˈvɪn/ uses a short, clipped vowel and a voiced v, then /dɪ/ is a quick, light /d/ followed by a lax /ɪ/. End with /keɪt/ where you raise the back of your tongue toward the soft palate for /keɪt/ (k + eɪ + t). Audio reference: you’ll hear the stress on VIN in reliable dictionaries or pronunciation videos (Forvo).
Two common issues: (1) misplacing stress on the second syllable (vin-DI-cate) or (3) pronouncing the ending as -dite or -date instead of -cate. Correction: keep primary stress on VIN, pronounce the second syllable /dɪ/ quickly, and finish with /keɪt/. (2) Some learners lengthen the middle vowel to /iː/ or reduce it to a schwa; avoid that by keeping /dɪ/ as a short, crisp vowel. Practice with minimal pairs like ‘vindicate’ vs ‘investigate’ to feel the exact syllable timing.
In US/UK/AU, the primary stress remains on the first syllable: /ˈvɪn.dɪ.keɪt/. The rhoticity difference is minimal for this word, but accent can color the /ɪ/ vowel and the quality of /eɪ/; US speakers may have a slightly tighter diphthong in /eɪ/, UK speakers a more open fronted /eɪ/. AU tends to be similar to UK but with subtle vowel shifts in connected speech. Overall, the rhythm and vowel qualities align closely across these accents, with the same three-syllable pattern and final /keɪt/.
Three challenges: (1) correct stress placement on the first syllable with a clear, strong /ˈvɪn/. (2) The sequence /dɪˈkeɪt/ demands precise articulation of the /d/ followed by a quick, tense /ɪ/ into a high, rounded /eɪ/ glide; many learners insert extra vowel sounds or misplace the boundary between /d/ and /keɪt/. (3) The final /eɪt/ is often mispronounced as /ət/ or /eɪt/ with a weak /t/). Practice the three-syllable rhythm to keep it natural.
Yes—the central challenge is maintaining a tight, crisp onset for /ˈvɪn/ and a clean, elongated /eɪt/ at the end. The /d/ should be released cleanly into the /ɪ/ without an extra schwa. In careful speech, you’ll avoid 'vin-di-cat' or 'vin-di-cate' with an extra syllable; the word holds concise three syllables. Listening to native models in dictionaries or pronunciation videos helps nail the exact timing of the /d/ + /ɪ/ + /keɪ/ transition.
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Vindicate comes from the Latin vindicare, meaning to claim or avenge, derived from vind- (to conquer, defend, or defend legally) and the suffix -icare, which forms verbs meaning to act or perform. The Latin term was used in classical rhetoric and Roman law to denote defending one’s rights or innocence. In English, vindicate appeared in the late 16th century with senses tied to clearing someone of blame or proving the truth of a claim. Over time, its use broadened from legal vindication to general confirmation of ideas, theories, or statements when accompanied by supporting evidence. The word traveled through Old French (vindicater) before entering English, maintaining a strong formal tenor often found in academic, legal, or analytical discourse. The core notion remains: to defend, prove, or justify against accusation, doubt, or controversy, typically through compelling testimony, data, or reasoning. First known uses appear in legal and philosophical texts, aligning with its Latin roots related to advocacy and rightful defense. In modern usage, vindicate also conveys empowerment—when evidence or argument robustly supports a claim, expectations are upheld and reputations restored.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "vindicate" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "vindicate"
-ate sounds
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