extenuating circumstances

Idioms  

1. A situation or condition that provides an excuse for an action, as in Although Nancy missed three crucial rehearsals, there were extenuating circumstances, so she was not dismissed. This expression was originally legal terminology, denoting circumstances that partly excuse a crime and therefore call for less punishment or damages. [c. 1600]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

extenuating circumstances

Medicare doesn’t cover you for emergency hospital care overseas, except in certain extenuating circumstances where a foreign hospital may be closer than a U.S. one.

From MarketWatch ● Feb. 13, 2026

Swansea University students can access a carers passport to help facilitate reasonable adjustments and extenuating circumstances.

From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2025

Kasten said the Dodgers and other teams try to accommodate fans with extenuating circumstances.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2024

When it happens for other people, because I know it does sometimes, there’s probably a lot of extenuating circumstances happening behind the scenes.

From New York Times ● Feb. 1, 2024

He wanted to plead his friend’s case, explain the extenuating circumstances.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

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Related Words

• exoneration
• revenge

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