Exonerate verb (used with object), -ated, -ating. 1.

to clear, as of an accusation; free from guilt or blame;exculpate: He was exonerated fro m the accusation of cheating. 2.to relieve, as from an obligation, duty, or task. Related forms exoneration, noun exonerative, adjective exonerator, noun unexonerated, adjective unexonerative, adjective

Clandestine adjective characterized by, done in, or executed with secrecy orconcealment, especially for purpose s of subversion or deception;private or surreptitious: Their clandestine meetings wentundi scovered for two years. Related forms clandestinely, adverb clandestineness, clandestinity, noun unclandestinely, adverb Synonyms hidden, underhand, confidential, illicit.

Charlatan noun a person who pretends or claims to have more knowledge or skillthan he or she possesses ; quack. Related forms charlatanic, charlatanical, charlatanish, charlatanistic, adjective charlatanically, adverb Synonyms impostor, mountebank, fraud, fake, phony. Benign adjective 1.having a kindly disposition; gracious: a benign king. 2.showing or expressive of gentleness or kindness: a benignsmile. 3.favorable; propitious: a series of benign omens andconfigurations in the heavens. 4.(of weather) salubrious; healthful; pleasant or beneficial. 5.Pathology . not malignant; self-limiting. Related forms benignly, adverb superbenign, adjective superbenignly, adverb unbenign, adjective unbenignly, adverb Synonyms 1. good, kindly, benignant, benevolent, tend er, humane, gentle,compassionate. Affable

adjective 1.pleasantly easy to approach and to talk to; friendly; cordial;warmly polite: an affable an d courteous gentleman. 2.showing warmth and friendliness; benign; pleasant: an affablesmile. Related forms affability, affableness, noun affably, adverb unaffable, adjective Fortify verb (used with object) 1.to protect or strengthen against attack; surround or providewith defensive military work s. 2.to furnish with a means of resisting force or standing strainor wear: to fortify cotton wit h nylon 3.to make strong; impart strength or vigor to: to fortify oneselfwith a good breakfast. 4.to increase the effectiveness of, as by additionalingredients: to fortify a diet with vitami ns; to fortify a lotionwith lanolin. 5.to strengthen mentally or morally: to be fortified by religiousfaith. Related forms fortifiable, adjective fortifier, noun fortifyingly, adverb nonfortifiable, adjective nonfortifying, adjective Synonyms 3. strengthen, reinforce. 5. hearten, embold en unaffableness, noun unaffably, adverb Synonyms 1. civil.

Astound verb (used with object) 1.to overwhelm with amazement; astonish greatly; shock withwonder or surprise. adjective 2.Archaic . astonished; astounded. Related forms astoundment, noun Grovel verb (used without object), -eled, -eling or ( especiallyBritish ) -elled, -elling. 1.to humble oneself or act in an abject manner, as in greatfear or utter servility. 2.to lie or crawl with the face downward and the bodyprostrate, especially in abject humil ity, fear, etc. 3.to take pleasure in mean or base things. Related forms groveler; especially British , groveller, no un grovelingly; especially British , grovellin gly, adverb ungroveling, adjective ungrovelling, adjective Can be confused: gavel, gravel, grovel . Synonyms 1. truckle, toady, fawn, kowtow, pander.