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extenuation

   Also found in: Medical, Legal 0.04 sec.
ex·ten·u·a·tion  (k-stny-shn)
n.
1. The act of extenuating or the condition of being extenuated; partial justification.
2. A partial excuse.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.extenuation - a partial excuse to mitigate censure; an attempt to represent an offense as less serious than it appears by showing mitigating circumstances
mitigation
exculpation, excuse, self-justification, alibi - a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.; "he kept finding excuses to stay"; "every day he had a new alibi for not getting a job"; "his transparent self-justification was unacceptable"
2.extenuation - to act in such a way as to cause an offense to seem less serious
mitigation, palliation
reduction, step-down, diminution, decrease - the act of decreasing or reducing something
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Were such a man once more to fall, what plea could be urged in extenuation of his crime?
The Scarlet Letter by Hawthorne, Nathaniel View in context
She turned white in the face, and drew her breath through her teeth in a savage sort of way; - but she offered no extenuation or defence; and with a kind of shameless calmness - shocking indeed to witness in one so young - as good as told me that my remonstrance was unavailing, and my pastoral advice quite thrown away upon her - nay, that my very presence was displeasing while I spoke such things.
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Bronte, Anne View in context
Broadsides in the streets, signed with her father's name, exonerating the late Stephen Blackpool, weaver, from misplaced suspicion, and publishing the guilt of his own son, with such extenuation as his years and temptation (he could not bring himself to add, his education) might beseech; were of the Present.
Hard Times by Dickens, Charles View in context
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