extenuating

[ ik-sten-yoo-ey-ting ]

adjective

serving to make a fault, offense, etc., appear less serious: The judge gave him a comparatively mild sentence due to extenuating circumstances.

Origin of extenuating

First recorded in 1600–10; extenuat(e) + -ing²

Above all, she had true vision of Stephen Arnold, glorifying nowhere, extenuating nothing.
Hilda | Sarah Jeanette Duncan
The inquiry naturally occurs, Are there no extenuating circumstances to be adduced on the part of the Japanese?
Continental Monthly, Vol. 4, No 3, September 1863 | Various
I will gladly hear any extenuating circumstances that you may give, for I am loth to believe that you are guilty of treachery.
A Daughter of the Union | Lucy Foster Madison
Ralph attempted no apology, or excused himself by extenuating circumstances.
The Camp Fire Girls at the End of the Trail | Margaret Vandercook
He alone can judge how far the cruelty of Mr. Elliot was the outcome of extenuating circumstances.
The Longest Journey | E. M. Forster

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