vindication

answer, respond, reply, rebut, retort, rejoin; give for answer, return for answer; acknowledge, echo., explain (interpret); solve (unriddle); discover; fathom, hunt out (inquire) [more]; satisfy, set at rest, determine.

defend, forfend, fend; shield, screen, shroud; engarrison; fend round (circumscribe); fence, intrench; guard (keep safe); guard against; take care of (vigilance); bear harmless; fend off, keep off, ward off, beat off; hinder., parry, repel, propugn, put to flight; give a warm reception to [ironical]; hold at bay, keep at bay, keep arm's length., stand on the defensive, act on the defensive; show fight; maintain one;s ground, stand one's ground; stand by; hold one's own; bear the brunt, stand the brunt; fall back upon, hold, stand in the gap.

forgive, forgive and forget; pardon, condone, think no more of, let bygones be bygones, shake hands; forget an injury., excuse, pass over, overlook; wink at (neglect); bear with; allow for, make allowances for; let one down easily, not be too hard upon, pocket the affront., let off, remit, absolve, give absolution, reprieve; acquit., beg pardon, ask pardon, implore pardon; conciliate, propitiate, placate; make up a quarrel (pacify); let the wound heal.