Open and Shut Case: English Vocabulary List

to clear someone's name of accusations and prove their innocence

"The evidence will exculpate him."

"New DNA evidence was discovered that would completely exculpate the wrongly convicted prisoner."

to terminate an agreement, right, law, custom, etc. in an official manner

"They will abrogate the law."

"The government decided to officially abrogate the outdated trade agreement with the neighboring country."

to strongly criticize in an official manner

"The committee voted to censure the senator."

"The committee voted to censure the senator for violating ethical standards and abusing his position."

to accept or forgive something that is commonly believed to be wrong

"I cannot condone such violent behavior."

"The school administration does not condone any form of bullying or harassment and any student found guilty will face serious consequences including possible expulsion."

to tell someone to do something by ordering or instructing them

"The judge enjoined the company from polluting."

"The court issued an order to enjoin the company from continuing to use the stolen trade secrets in its manufacturing process without permission."

to try to find something in a confined space

"He will ferret the mouse."

"The detective had to ferret through the dusty archives to find the crucial piece of information."

to no longer be able to access a right, property, privilege, etc. as a result of violating a law or a punishment for doing something wrong

"He forfeited his right to appeal."

"If you do not pay your taxes you may forfeit your right to own property in this country."

to take a person or thing to a confined space and trap them there

"The king immured his enemies in dungeons."

"The prisoners were immured in dark damp cells for many years without seeing any sunlight."

to officially ban the existence or practice of something

"The law proscribes smoking indoors."

"The school rules explicitly proscribe the use of mobile phones during class hours."

the state of an organization or country that is lacking in order, authority, or control

"The revolution led to complete anarchy."

"The country descended into anarchy after the government collapsed and no authority remained."

the privilege of being officially released from an obligation, law, or something that is usually prohibited

"Special dispensation granted."

"The special dispensation was granted to allow the student to take the exam later."

a privilege or right that is granted legally

"She has entitlement rights."

"Citizenship grants certain legal rights and an entitlement to social services."

an illegal or unjust act committed by a person of high standing

"The mayor committed malfeasance."

"The investigation revealed evidence of financial malfeasance by several high-ranking officials."

an individual who feigns incompetence or illness just so they would not have to do something

"He is a malingerer."

"The supervisor suspected the employee was a malingerer, constantly calling in sick to avoid work."

an individual who demands total obedience to rules, laws, and orders

"He is a martinet."

"The drill sergeant was a true martinet, demanding absolute obedience from every recruit without question."

(of a statement or story) unlikely to be authentic, even though it is widely believed to be true

"The story is apocryphal."

"The story is apocryphal and was probably invented years after the events actually happened."

relating or belonging to something bigger or more important, like lifestyles, structures, systems, etc.

"The garage is appurtenant to the house."

"The garage is appurtenant to the house and is included in the sale of the property."

(of statements) intending to ruin someone's reputation with the use of unpleasant or false information

"The article is defamatory."

"The article is defamatory and falsely accuses the politician of corruption and other crimes."

(of a person) unsure or hesitant about the credibility or goodness of something

"His claim is dubious."

"The dubious claim that drinking this juice cures cancer has been debunked by medical experts who warn consumers not to believe false advertising."

not affected, and immune to harm, change, disrespect, or destruction

"The tomb remained inviolate."

"The ancient tomb remained inviolate for thousands of years until it was discovered."

applying good judgment and sense, especially in making decisions

"He made a judicious choice."

"The manager made a judicious decision to postpone the product launch until the quality issues were fully resolved and the packaging was redesigned."

stopping others from doing something

"The cost is prohibitive."

"The cost is prohibitive and only the wealthiest people in the world can afford to buy it."

honorable and honest to the point of becoming impossible to criticize, question, or blame

"His character is unimpeachable."

"His character is unimpeachable and nobody has ever doubted his honesty or integrity."

not grave and thus capable of being pardoned or overlooked

"The sin is venial."

"The sin is venial and minor so he was forgiven after saying a short prayer."

to give up or reject a belief, claim, or practice through formal or public declaration

"He abjures his former bad habits."

"The witness had to abjure his previous statement when new evidence proved that he had been lying under oath."

to attribute a quality, action, or outcome to a person, cause, or source

"Do not impute bad motives to me."

"The lawyer tried to impute bad motives to the witness in order to make the jury doubt his testimony."

skillful in achieving what one desires, especially through deceptive means

"The fox is wily."

"The fox is wily and always manages to escape from traps set by the hunters."

to support an argument, claim, etc. by providing facts and evidence

"Researchers document their findings carefully."

"The researcher spent years documenting the lives of the indigenous tribe before their culture disappeared completely."

to formally put a law or regulation into effect through official proclamation

"The king promulgated new laws."

"The new president issued an order to promulgate the revised environmental regulations effective immediately."

to provide someone with something, such as help or services, especially as required or expected

"He will render aid."

"The skilled lawyer will render expert legal advice to help the client navigate the complex case."

to refuse to acknowledge or accept as valid

"They repudiate the idea."

"The politician was forced to repudiate the accusations of corruption that were leveled against him."

to officially approve of something such as an action, change, practice, etc.

"The committee will sanction the proposal."

"The committee will officially sanction the proposed changes to the building code after careful review and discussion."

to clear someone from blame or suspicion and prove their innocence

"The evidence vindicated the innocent man."

"The new evidence that was discovered later helped to vindicate the man who had been wrongly accused of the crime and imprisoned."

an authorized practitioner of law who defends a person's case in a courtroom

"The advocate spoke well."

"The skilled advocate presented a compelling defense, meticulously dissecting the prosecution's evidence to protect her client's rights."

an official decision that is made, particularly when an official body takes a group vote

"The resolution passed."

"The committee's resolution condemned the unjust actions taken by the government."

not authentic or true, despite attempting to make it seem so

"The painting is bogus."

"The painting is bogus and was actually painted last week not three hundred years ago."

causing doubt or suspicion

"This is dubious."

"The politician's dubious claims about his achievements raised serious questions among the electorate."

demanding great respect in a way that cannot be ignored or degraded

"The law is inviolable."

"The sanctity of the ancient temple was considered inviolable, inspiring deep reverence from all who approached."