Exonerate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Exonerated; p. pr. & vb. n. Exonerating.]
Etymology: [L. exoneratus, p. p. of exonerare to free from a burden; ex out, from onerare to load, onus load. See Onerous.]
1. To unload; to disburden; to discharge. [Obs.] All exonerate themselves into one common duct. Ray.
2. To relieve, in a moral sense, as of a charge, obligation, or load of blame resting on one; to clear of something that lies upon oppresses one, as an accusation or imputation; as, to exonerate one's self from blame, or from the charge of avarice. Burke.
3. To discharge from duty or obligation, as a ball.
Syn. - To absolve; acquit; exculpate. See Absolve.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for exonerate; he lists it under absolve.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.