extenuates

verb

present tense third-person singular of extenuate
as in justifies
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 extenuates
  1. justifies
  2. excuses
  3. explains
Verb
  • Before enrolling, though, be sure to confirm that the potential discount justifies its cost.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026
  • This script justifies that lame happy ending with a clever idea about the radiation sickness that results from suffering a blast of the creature’s atomic breath.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of justifies
Verb
  • So much so that the Texas head football coach excuses its 80th national ranking in offense.
    — Kirk Bohls, Houston Chronicle, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Created in 2007, PSLF excuses the federal student debt of government and nonprofit workers after 120 qualifying monthly payments.
    — Jessica Dickler,Annie Nova, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of excuses
Verb
  • The Two Clinic Models Behind Every Turkish Quote Before reading any ranking, understand the single distinction that explains most of the price gap between Turkish clinics.
    — Burak Onal, Kansas City Star, 10 Nov. 2026
  • This book explains that putting the napkin on the chair may soil the chair, and upon returning, the diner’s clothes.
    — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of explains
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Extenuates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extenuates. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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