extenuate
[ ik-sten-yoo-eyt ]
/ ɪkˈstɛn yuˌeɪt /
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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.
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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. 2021
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
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