free from blame

absolve acquit corroborate defend disprove exonerate justify prove refute substantiate uphold

advocate argue assert claim clear confute contend establish exculpate excuse extenuate free guard maintain protect rationalize rehabilitate second shield support warrant whitewash

bear out disculpate do justice to plead for

blame charge condemn convict deny disprove incriminate prove sentence

attack desert destroy forget hurt ignore neglect oppose reject ruin

accuse punish