as in to excuse
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 & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extenuate
Verb
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One can be excused for wondering why the Islamic Republic of Iran has consistently beaten accusations of near-death since its inception in 1979.—
Alexander Langlois,
Oc Register,
18 Feb. 2026 -
The rep excuses herself; in the hallway, Stephen congratulates Lucy.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Trump then turned to another section of trade law to justify his imposition of the 15% global rate, which take effect Tuesday.—
David McHugh,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
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The thing to remember is these administrative arrest warrants have been deemed justified by courts in immigration purposes.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The suit prompted the restaurant to update language on its bill to explain that the service fee was not the same as a gratuity.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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In general, the hospital has always instructed its providers not to make comments or notes about a patient’s immigration status on notes or other materials that can be accessed, the doctor explained.—
Lauren Mascarenhas,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Radiation can also be used to palliate painful bone metastases, as well as chemotherapy.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
1 Oct. 2024
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Senior-home avatars who are designed to palliate dementia patients in their darkest days.—
Longreads,
Longreads,
12 Apr. 2024
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“Extenuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extenuate. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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