extenuate

extenuate

verb

Definition of EXTENUATE

to make (something) seem less bad by offering excuses <don't even try to extenuate their vandalism of the cemetery with the old refrain of “Boys will be boys”>

Synonyms deodorize, excuse, explain away, extenuate, gloss (over), gloze (over), whitewash

Related Words sugarcoat, varnish; apologize, atone, confess; account (for), explain, justify, rationalize; minimize, play down, soft-pedal; alleviate, ease, lessen, lighten, mitigate, moderate, soften, temper; absolve, acquit, clear, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate