Choose the most appropriate antonym of the given word:
Exonerated
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Convicted
- Exonerated means officially declared free of blame or guilt. The word comes from the Latin ex (out of, away from) + onus (burden): the burden of blame is taken away.
Example: The court exonerated the driver of all charges. - Convicted means officially found guilty of a crime by a court, the opposite of being cleared, so it is the antonym of exonerated.
Example: He was convicted of fraud and sent to prison.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: Released — Incorrect. Released means set free; a person may be released after being exonerated, so the word is close to it in sense, not opposite.
Example: The hostages were released after a week.
Option 2: Expelled — Incorrect. Expelled means forced to leave a school, club or country; it says nothing about guilt being proved.
Example: Two students were expelled for cheating.
Option 3: Vindicated — Incorrect. Vindicated means shown to be right or free from blame; it is a synonym of exonerated.
Example: The scientist felt vindicated when the results proved her theory.
| Synonyms (Exonerated) | Antonyms (Exonerated) |
|---|---|
| acquitted | convicted |
| absolved | condemned |
| cleared | blamed |
| vindicated | accused |
The following words have also been asked in other CUET (UG) English papers:
| Word | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| exonerate | 11-05 S2 14-05 S2 31-05 S1 | 21-05 S1 | – | – | – |