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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Judges have a duty to uphold statutes designed to protect victims, to respect the lawful role of law enforcement, and to ensure that criminal conduct is addressed through the rule of law — not excused, minimized, or politicized.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026 -
Craig did not stay to field questions from the media, respectfully excused for what a spokesperson described as fatigue from a long day.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Any increase should be a last resort and carefully justified to protect residents already facing rising costs.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Feb. 2026
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Government officials have defended officers’ actions as necessary and justified, while giving misleading or false accounts of some clashes.—
Natasha Korecki,
NBC news,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Bartlett had been affiliated with the abolitionist movement during his time attending Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, Krupa explained.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
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As the coverage increases to about 80%, shadows on the ground begin to sharpen and lose their fuzzy edges, the light around you dims, and shadows start to look curved, Young explained.—
Lily Hautau,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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By then, investigators had checked Guthrie’s flat, whitewashed roof and probed her septic tank with a long pole.—
Paige Williams,
New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2026
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Sleek chrome furniture, a chef-grade kitchen, and whitewashed walls bring light in.—
Elly Leavitt,
Vogue,
28 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Extenuated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extenuated. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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