extenuating

[ ik-sten-yoo-ey-ting ]

/ ɪkˈstɛn yuˌeɪ tɪŋ /

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adjective

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

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Origin of extenuating

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

ex·ten·u·at·ing·ly, adverbnon·ex·ten·u·at·ing, adjectivenon·ex·ten·u·at·ing·ly, adverbun·ex·ten·u·at·ing, adjective

un·ex·ten·u·at·ing·ly, adverb

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