Vindication is the process of proving one's innocence or JUSTIFICATION for a particular action. The crossword solutions for this term include PLEA (4 letters), EXPLANATION (11 letters), JUSTIFICATION (13 letters), ACQUITTAL (9 letters), REASON (6 letters), APOLOGY (7 letters), EXCUSE (6 letters), PARDON (6 letters), DEFENCE (7 letters), EXONERATION (11 letters), and APOLOGIA (8 letters). A PLEA is an answer to a criminal charge, while an EXPLANATION is a statement that clarifies a situation. JUSTIFICATION is a defense of an action or belief, and an ACQUITTAL is a legal declaration of innocence. REASON is an EXPLANATION of why something is done, and an APOLOGY is an expression of regret. An EXCUSE is an attempt to lessen blame, and a PARDON is an official forgiveness of a crime. DEFENCE is a JUSTIFICATION of an action or belief, EXONERATION is a freeing from blame, and APOLOGIA is a formal defense of one's beliefs or actions.