This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
extenuate
[ ik-sten-yoo-eyt ]
/ ɪkˈstɛn yuˌeɪt /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
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.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
Origin of extenuate
OTHER WORDS FROM extenuate
ex·ten·u·at·ing, adjectiveex·ten·u·a·tive, adjectiveex·ten·u·a·tor, nounnon·ex·ten·u·a·tive, adjectiveWords nearby extenuate
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use extenuate in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for extenuate
extenuate
/ (ɪkˈstɛnjʊˌeɪt) /
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 forms of extenuate
extenuating, adjectiveextenuation, nounextenuator, nounextenuatory, adjectiveWord 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