as in excused
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 extenuated
Verb
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The fumble, of course, cannot be excused, but Henderson's development is essential to the Patriots fulfilling the best version of their offense.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
28 Oct. 2025 -
After Politico reported that Young Republicans expressed outrageously racist, misogynistic and anti-Semitic sentiments, Vice President JD Vance excused it as just the edgy chat of young activists.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Morgan felt uneasy but also justified.—
Kaleb Demerew,
The Conversation,
3 Nov. 2025
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My grief and my truth is justified.—
Jayson Buford,
Rolling Stone,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In a post on the AITA subreddit, the original poster (OP) explained that her mother-in-law organized her baby shower and asked her to make the invitations.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
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Fujimura also explained the historical reasons for why Japanese IP is so strong – starting with the periodical manga magazines that became popular in the 1950s, evolving into the anime business that boomed with the growth of Japan’s animation studios and TV networks in the 1960s.—
Liz Shackleton,
Deadline,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Mayorga combined the rhythms of the San Juanito - traditional Andean music - with rural Colombian cumbia, which arrived in Ecuador via the record industry, already processed and whitewashed.—
NPR,
NPR,
13 Oct. 2025
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The moss brings a splash of color that maintains a sophisticated and minimalist quality, while keeping a space from becoming whitewashed.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
6 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Extenuated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extenuated. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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