The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word EXCULPATE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
E
X
C
U
L
P
A
T
E
More clues leading to the result EXCULPATE
- Embracing large secretary is mate no longer pretty clear?
- Free from guilt, former partner left in vessel at the end of June
- Former secretary introduced to sect by head of English is free from blame
- Puce latex, bafflingly free of charge
- Sign once left by Irishman inside, free of charge
- Former copper has left, head seen as free from blame
- Help! Cut with axe! Upset when hospital leaves excuse
- Clear old copper’s record at start of enquiry
- Pardon former copper, former copper’s inside
- Pardon old cryptic clue — easy to crack
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Free from guilt" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case free from guilt = exculpate.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does EXCULPATE mean?
EXCULPATE verb- To clear of or to free from guilt; exonerate.