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Legitimize vs Exculpate - What's the difference?

legitimize | exculpate |

As verbs the difference between legitimize and exculpate

is that legitimize is to make legitimate while exculpate is to clear of or to free from guilt; exonerate.

legitimize

English

Alternative forms

* legitimise

Verb

(legitimiz)
  • To make legitimate.
    • Usage notes
    * Forms of (legitimize) ares about twice as common as forms of the verb legitimate in the US. * Forms of legitimate are somewhat more common than the forms of the verbs (legitimize) and (legitimise) in the UK combined.

    Synonyms

    * legitimate (verb)

    Derived terms

    * delegitimize * illegitimatize * illegitimize

    exculpate

    English

    Verb

  • To clear of or to free from guilt; exonerate.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1907, author=
    • , title=The Dust of Conflict , chapter=4 citation , passage=The inquest on keeper Davidson was duly held, and at the commencement seemed likely to cause Tony Palliser less anxiety than he had expected. Northrop knew all about Tony's flirtation with Lucy Davidson, but it also knew a good deal more about that lady than Tony did, and exculpated him.}}

    Synonyms

    * absolve * acquit * disculpate * pardon

    Antonyms

    * condemn * inculpate * indict