Vindication: quick facts
Vindication is the satisfying feeling of being proven right or cleared after having been doubted, blamed, or wronged. It blends relief with a sense of justice, as a person's stance, innocence, or judgment is finally…
Category
Complex & secondary emotions
Valence
Positive
Emotion family / blend
Self-conscious
Typical triggers
Being proven right, justice served, doubts disproven, fairness restored
How it's expressed
Satisfied expression, relaxed shoulders, confident posture, a knowing nod
Sources: American Psychological Association — APA Dictionary: emotion; Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley — Emotions; Plutchik's Wheel of Emotions (Robert Plutchik) — overview. Educational information only — not medical or psychological advice. See our sources & fact-check policy.