Top Definitions
Quizzes
Related Content
Examples

extenuating

[ ik-sten-yoo-ey-ting ]

/ ɪkˈstɛn yuˌeɪ tɪŋ /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for extenuating on Thesaurus.com

adjective

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

QUIZZES

THINK YOU’VE GOT A HANDLE ON THIS US STATE NICKNAME QUIZ?

Did you ever collect all those state quarters? Put them to good use on this quiz about curious state monikers and the facts around them.

Question 1 of 8

Mississippi’s nickname comes from the magnificent trees that grow there. What is it?

The Sunflower State

The Evergreen State

The Magnolia State

The Mockingbird State

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of extenuating

extenuate + -ing²

OTHER WORDS FROM extenuating

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

Words nearby extenuating

extensor muscle of little finger, extensor pollicis brevis, extensor retinaculum, extent, extenuate, extenuating, extenuating circumstance, extenuating circumstances, extenuation, extenuatory, exterior

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for extenuating

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

Book Your Online Tutor Now