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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And, no, the controversial coach won’t likely be excused from his post anytime soon.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026 -
Before the Black Caucus lobbed this bomb at him, Pritzker would have been excused for thinking that his endorsement of a different Black woman would shield him from such criticism.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The state argues Burton’s execution is justified.—
Abigail Brooks,
NBC news,
7 Mar. 2026
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Most fatal encounters involving police in Oklahoma are ultimately ruled justified under state law, a pattern that mirrors national trends.—
Stephen Martin,
Oklahoma Watch,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Big productivity gains might have explained things, but government data showed no sign of them.—
Paul Wiseman,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
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Among young adults with rectal cancer, 41% report rectal bleeding as their first symptom, compared with 27% of older adults, Dahut explained.—
Dr. Ishani D. Premaratne,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In hushed towns like Locorotondo and Martina Franca, whitewashed lanes curve unexpectedly, church bells peal away the hours, and olive trees cast ever longer shadows onto dusty squares.—
Rob Crossan,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 Feb. 2026
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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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Cite this Entry
“Extenuated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extenuated. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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