vindicate vs exculpate

vindicate and exculpate both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
vindicate	No	No	Yes	No
exculpate	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, exculpate is a hypernym of vindicate; that is, exculpate is a word with a broader meaning than vindicate:

vindicate: clear of accusation, blame, suspicion, or doubt with supporting proof
exculpate: pronounce not guilty of criminal charges

Other hypernyms of vindicate include acquit, assoil, clear, discharge, exonerate.

vindicate (verb)	exculpate (verb)
show to be right by providing justification or proof	pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
clear of accusation, blame, suspicion, or doubt with supporting proof
maintain, uphold, or defend