SINCE 1828

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extenuate

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms 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, palliate, gloss (over), gloze (over), whitewashRelated 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

extenuate was our Word of the Day on 06/30/2011. Hear the podcast!

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