World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English Dictionariesextenuer
Pronunciation / Transliteration: /ɛk.stə.nɥe/
"Ces circonstances ne peuvent pas exténuer sa responsabilité."
Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
To make an offense, guilt, or error appear less serious by providing partial excuses or mitigating factors.
"The defense attorney argued that his client's difficult upbringing helped to extenuate the crime." - 2
To lessen the strength, severity, or magnitude of something such as pain, circumstances, or authority.
"Medication was prescribed to extenuate the severe symptoms of the chronic illness."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from the Latin verb 'extenuare', formed by the prefix 'ex-' (out, thoroughly) and 'tenuare' (to make thin), from 'tenuis' (thin). Entering Middle English in the 15th century, the term originally meant to make physically thin or emaciated before shifting metaphorically to lessen the seriousness or magnitude of an offense.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Extenuate"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Extenuate" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
extenuer
Transliteration: /ɛk.stə.nɥe/
"Ces circonstances ne peuvent pas exténuer sa responsabilité."
abschwächen
Transliteration: /ˈapˌʃvɛxn̩/
"Diese Beweise könnten die Schwere der Tat abschwächen."
attenuare
Transliteration: /at.te.nuˈa.re/
"Ci sono fattori che possono attenuare la sua colpa."
atenuar
Transliteration: /a.te.nwaˈɾ/
"El juez consideró factores para atenuar la pena."
atenuar
Transliteration: /a.te.nuˈaɾ/
"As provas ajudaram a atenuar a gravidade da acusação."
कम करना
Transliteration: kam karna
"इन परिस्थितियों से अपराध का प्रभाव कम किया जा सकता है।"
减轻
Transliteration: jiǎnqīng
"辩护律师试图减轻被告的罪责。"
정참하다
Transliteration: jeongcham-hada
"그는 자신의 행동을 정당화하려 했다."
情状を酌量する
Transliteration: jōjō o shakuryō suru
"裁判所は彼の境遇を酌量した。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all French termsPressed firmly together or made dense by pressure, applied particularly to soil, earth, or granular materials.
An obnoxious, despicable, or untrustworthy person.
Not fulfilling or working toward a practical purpose, operational use, or required utility.
Explore Nuanced Synonyms for "Extenuate"
Discover exact matches, context-specific alternatives, and antonyms with intensity ratings in the VocabDictionary Thesaurus.
Enhance Your Writing & Grammar Precision
Linguistic Origins & Word Stories
View all stories →How Are Palisade Cells Adapted for Photosynthesis (and Why Are They Called 'Palisade')?
Palisade mesophyll cells are column-shaped, densely packed with chloroplasts, and positioned near the leaf's upper surface to maximize light absorption for photosynthesis. Their name comes from the French word for a defensive fence of wooden stakes, referencing their tightly aligned, upright cellular structure.
What is a SLOT SWOT Analysis and How Do You Actually Do One?
A SLOT SWOT analysis is an expanded strategic planning framework that blends personal or organizational 'SLOT' (Strengths, Limitations, Opportunities, Threats) metrics with traditional 'SWOT' dynamics. It provides a granular approach to evaluating internal capabilities against external market realities.