extenuate

[ ik-sten-yoo-eyt ]

/ ɪkˈstɛn yuˌeɪt /

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See synonyms for: extenuate / extenuating / extenuative on Thesaurus.com

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

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin extenuātus, past participle of extenuāre, equivalent to ex- ex-¹ + tenuāre “to make thin or small”; see origin at thin;see also -ate¹

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, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use extenuate in a sentence

To be fair, there were some seriously extenuating circumstances this year.
The Unexpected Benefits of Thinking for Yourself in an Age of Polling|by Stephen Engelberg|November 9, 2020|ProPublica
Carol Miller believes that this time around, the presidential election not only feels different because of the current state of the country, but also because of extenuating circumstances specific to her parish.
High Anxiety|Truthbetold|November 4, 2020|TruthBeTold.news
In reply, I can only say that I have nothing extenuated, and set down nought in malice.
Ancient Pagan and Modern Christian Symbolism|Thomas Inman
I know the caution is given to a brave man, and nothing shall be extenuated.
The Water-Witch or, The Skimmer of the Seas|James Fenimore Cooper

Still, being a liberal-minded bird, he extenuated the professor's conduct as far as possible.
'That Very Mab'|May Kendall and Andrew Lang
Now by confining his Rudeness to little People, the Fault is much extenuated.
A Short View of the Immorality, and Profaneness of the English Stage|Jeremy Collier
He has stored a picture gallery in which posterity may see them as they lived, nothing extenuated nor anything set down in malice.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 108, June 15th, 1895|Various

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, 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

extenuate

Origin of extenuate

OTHER WORDS FROM extenuate

Words related to extenuate

How to use extenuate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for extenuate

Derived forms of extenuate

Word Origin for extenuate