Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word.

Exonerate

Incriminate

The most appropriate antonym of the given word EXONERATE is INCRIMINATE.

• Exonerate means to declare free from blame or guilt.
• Incriminate means to charge with a crime or offense.

Therefore, the antonym of exonerate must mean the opposite of free from blame or guilt. Of the above choices, only incriminate has the opposite meaning of exonerate.

The other choices are not antonyms of exonerate.

• Exempt means free from a particular obligation or liability. This is not the opposite of exonerate, as exonerate does not refer to an obligation or liability.
• Absolve means declare (someone) free from blame or guilt. This is not the opposite of exonerate, as absolve is a synonym of exonerate.
• Acquit means declare (someone) not guilty of a crime. This is not the opposite of exonerate, as acquit is a synonym of exonerate.

Therefore, the correct answer is incriminate.