extenuate

ex·ten·u·ate  (k-stny-t)

tr.v. ex·ten·u·at·ed, ex·ten·u·at·ing, ex·ten·u·ates

1. To lessen or attempt to lessen the magnitude or seriousness of, especially by providing partial excuses. See Synonyms at palliate.

2. Archaic

a. To make thin or emaciated.

b. To reduce the strength of.

3. Obsolete To belittle; disparage.

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[Latin extenure, extenut- : ex-, ex- + tenure, to make thin (from tenuis, thin; see ten- in Indo-European roots).]

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ex·tenu·ative adj. & n.

ex·tenu·ator n.

ex·tenu·a·tory (--tôr, -tr) adj.

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extenuate [ɪkˈstɛnjʊˌeɪt]

vb (tr)

1. (Law) to represent (an offence, a fault, etc.) as being less serious than it appears, as by showing mitigating circumstances

2. to cause to be or appear less serious; mitigate

3. to underestimate or make light of

4. Archaic

a.  to emaciate or weaken

b.  to dilute or thin out

[from Latin extenuāre to make thin, from tenuis thin, frail]

extenuating  adj

extenuation  n

extenuator  n

extenuatory  adj

Thesaurus

Verb

1.

extenuate - lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of; "The circumstances extenuate the crime" mitigate, palliate law, jurisprudence - the collection of rules imposed by authority; "civilization presupposes respect for the law"; "the great problem for jurisprudence to allow freedom while enforcing order" apologise, rationalize, apologize, rationalise, justify, excuse - defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning; "rationalize the child's seemingly crazy behavior"; "he rationalized his lack of success"

Translations

extenuate [eksˈtenjʊeɪt] VT → atenuar, mitigar, disminuir(la gravedad de)

extenuate

vt guilt → verringern, mindern; offence, conduct → beschönigen; extenuating circumstances → mildernde Umstände