Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
extenuate
verb
/ɪkˈstɛn.ju.eɪt/
Definition
To lessen the seriousness or magnitude of an offense by providing excuses.
Examples
- During the meeting, she tried to extenuate her mistake by explaining the difficult situation she faced.
- The lawyer sought to extenuate the defendant’s actions by highlighting his troubled background.
- While the error was serious, there were factors that could extenuate the consequences.
Meaning
Extenuate means to make something seem less severe or serious. It often involves explaining the circumstances that may have led to an action, which can help to mitigate blame.
Synonyms
- mitigate
- alleviate
- excuse
- lighten
- soften
