extenuate

[ik-sten-yoo-eyt]

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verb (used with object), ex·ten·u·at·ed, ex·ten·u·at·ing.

to represent (a fault, offense, etc.) as less serious: to extenuate a crime.

to serve to make (a fault, offense, etc.) seem less serious.

to underestimate, underrate, or make light of: Do not extenuate the difficulties we are in.

Archaic.

to make thin, lean, or emaciated.
to reduce the consistency or density of.

Origin of extenuate

1375–1425; late Middle English (adj.) < Latin extenuātus, past participle of extenuāre, equivalent to ex- ex-¹ + tenuāre to make thin or small; see -ate¹

Related formsex·ten·u·at·ing, adjectiveex·ten·u·a·tive, adjectiveex·ten·u·a·tor, nounnon·ex·ten·u·a·tive, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for extenuate

palliate, minimize, reduce, soften, excuse, qualify, decrease, diminish, downplay, moderate, justify

Examples from the Web for extenuate

Historical Examples of extenuate

Whatever tends to extenuate the guilt of other sins, is an aggravation of this.
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. I
Francis Augustus Cox
In such circumstances I cannot seek to extenuate any of my faults or follies.
Tales And Novels, Volume 8 (of 10)
Maria Edgeworth
Above disguise, above art, above attempting to extenuate a failing.
Clarissa, Volume 3 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
They attempted to extenuate their crimes by the hardships they had suffered, but in vain.
The History of Tasmania , Volume II (of 2)
John West
There was a vindictiveness in these crimes which no plea can extenuate.
The Land We Live In
Henry Mann

British Dictionary definitions for extenuate

extenuate

verb (tr)

to represent (an offence, a fault, etc) as being less serious than it appears, as by showing mitigating circumstances

to cause to be or appear less serious; mitigate

to underestimate or make light of

archaic

to emaciate or weaken
to dilute or thin out

Derived Formsextenuating, adjectiveextenuation, nounextenuator, nounextenuatory, adjective

Word Origin for extenuate

C16: from Latin extenuāre to make thin, from tenuis thin, frail

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for extenuate

1520s, from Latin extenuatus, past participle of extenuare "lessen, make small, reduce, diminish," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + tenuare "make thin," from tenuis "thin" (see tenet). Related: Extenuated; extenuating. Extenuating circumstances attested from 1660s.