What is the meaning of exonerate?

The meaning of "exonerate" is to pronounce not guilty of criminal charges, which aligns with the provided answer. When someone is exonerated, it means that they have been cleared of blame or guilt and have been formally declared innocent regarding the accusations they faced. This term is often used in legal contexts, where an individual may have been wrongfully accused or convicted of a crime, and subsequent evidence or review of the case leads to their release from criminal responsibility.

In this context, the correct understanding emphasizes the process of vindicating a person from suspicion, leading to their acknowledgment as innocent. The other options describe actions contrary to exoneration, such as punishment, accusation, or seeking justice for victims, which do not capture the essence of what it means to exonerate someone.