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
-
Given the profusion of riad tourist accommodation in Marrakech, you’d be excused for thinking the buildings originated as hotels.—
Rebecca Ann Hughes,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026 -
Homeowners are also excused from the annual tax if the second home’s owner or the owner’s family is getting medical care in Greater Vancouver and lives outside that area, if the home is being repaired or substantially renovated.—
Roxana Popescu,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Project 2025 justified its proposal to eliminate EEO-1 data collection based on concerns that the data could lead employers to adopt racial hiring quotas.—
Michelle Travis,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
-
The planes were unarmed, but the Cuban government justified the shootings, arguing the organization had dropped leaflets over Havana in previous incidents.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Deadline shared a special preview of the series in January, with a slew of exclusive photos and a Q&A with Spiridakos, who shared insight into what fans can expect from the series and, in turn, explained some of the bits from the trailer.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
11 May 2026
-
Short explained the life perspective that enables him to find joy amid all the heartbreak.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
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
-
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
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 18 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
