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 way the righthander has been closing games for the Rays, one can be excused for thinking Baker walks on water.—
Tom Layberger,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026 -
These benefits can be extended if residents are working, excused from the work requirement or are living in a county that waives the work requirement.—
Lizzie Kane,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2026
Verb
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This massive financial scaling is justified by intense business momentum.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
12 June 2026
-
Routine matters might be handled internally or deferred, while more significant issues justified the cost of external counsel.—
Joseph Andrew,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
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The governor has previously explained that difficult decisions must be made as the state could soon face an economic downturn.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
-
The recent fire heavily damaged the structure, and a structural assessment found that what remains is not salvageable, DPR explained.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
Verb
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No longer a hidden gem or best-kept secret, Puglia’s dramatic beaches, Baroque cities, and whitewashed trulli are splashed over many an Instagram feed.—
Elizabeth Heath,
Travel + Leisure,
29 May 2026
-
The living room features whitewashed stone walls, a curved plaster fireplace, and polished concrete floors, while the kitchen has flat-front wood cabinets, a waterfall eat-in island, and exposed wood ceilings above clerestory windows.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
11 May 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Extenuated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extenuated. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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