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extenuating
[ ik-sten-yoo-ey-ting ]
/ ɪkˈstɛn yuˌeɪ tɪŋ /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
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
OTHER WORDS FROM extenuating
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023