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

Verb

[-ating, -ated] Formal to make an offence or fault less blameworthy, by giving reasons that partly excuse it [Latin extenuare to make thin]

extenuating adj
extenuation n

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"