extenuate

verb

ik-ˈsten-yə-ˌwāt How to pronounce extenuate (audio)
Definition of extenuatenext
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
  1. excuse
  2. justify
  3. explain
  4. palliate
Verb
  • Or targeted other relatives to be hosts, with the precedent of your sister-in-law’s apparently being excused entirely on those grounds.
    — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Look, saying a team should have played better doesn't excuse a questionable call that helps decide the game.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of excuse
Verb
  • The men stopped short of signing the oath required for vouching, but Moriarty said that giving false names and starting the process was enough to justify the felony charges.
    — Mark Vancleave, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Cases like Duckett’s demonstrate why that uncertainty is justified.
    — Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of justify
Verb
  • Officials, for example, have not explained whether Young’s administrative leave was related to allegations against him personally, his supervisory responsibilities or another reason.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Respond to what’s been said, and let the other person explain the rest.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of explain
Verb
  • Radiation can also be used to palliate painful bone metastases, as well as chemotherapy.
    — Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 1 Oct. 2024
  • Senior-home avatars who are designed to palliate dementia patients in their darkest days.
    — Longreads, Longreads, 12 Apr. 2024
Definition of palliate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

extents
extenuate
extenuated
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Cite this Entry

“Extenuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extenuate. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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