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
Relevance
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extenuated
Verb
-
As the couple continued to pepper Harry with questions, Caroline excused herself to get another seltzer.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Apr. 2026 -
Dewey is excused from his parents’ anniversary party, given his success as a pianist, but Lois demands that everyone else be present, including Malcolm.—
Allison McClain Merrill,
Parents,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Senior Iranian leaders have repeatedly denied Israel’s legitimacy, predicted its destruction and framed that outcome as inevitable and justified.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Customs and Border Protection rules say that pepper balls and other projectiles should not be aimed at vulnerable areas such as the head or spine unless deadly force is justified.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This was, 6ix9ine explained, the autograph of Nicolás Maduro, the President of Venezuela.—
Diego Lasarte,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Greater microbial diversity is generally associated with a more resilient immune system and better metabolic function,4 Beghini explained, so sharing microbes with a healthy partner can have a positive impact by helping to shape your microbiome towards a healthier composition.—
Mira Miller,
Verywell Health,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The island’s whitewashed, clifftop village offers romantic views of the Aegean Sea, and a steep, zig-zagging path climbs up the hillside to a church.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Sterilized, whitewashed, controlled, censored – all those words apply.—
Jim Axelrod,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
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.
Cite this Entry
“Extenuated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extenuated. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
