extenuate

verb

ex·​ten·​u·​ate ik-ˈsten-yə-ˌwāt 

-yü-ˌāt

extenuated; extenuating

transitive verb

1

: to lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of (something, such as a fault or offense) by making partial excuses : mitigate

There is no economic analysis that can extenuate bigotry.

—Leon Wieseltier

… all the lies that society tells to justify its values and extenuate its conduct …

—Robert Penn Warren

see also extenuating

2

: to lessen the strength or effect of (something) : weaken

… it was true that he was an old friend and that … she felt a desire not to extenuate such ties.

—Henry James

3

a

archaic : to make light of

b

obsolete : disparage

4

archaic : to make thin or emaciated

extenuator

ik-ˈsten-yə-ˌwā-tər 

-yü-ˌā-

noun

extenuatory

ik-ˈsten-yə-wə-ˌtȯr-ē 

-yü-ə-

adjective

Did you know?

You have probably encountered the phrase "extenuating circumstances," which is one of the more common ways that this word turns up in modern times. Extenuate was borrowed into English in the late Middle Ages from Latin extenuatus, the past participle of the verb extenuare, which was itself formed by combining ex- and the verb tenuare, meaning "to make thin." In addition to the surviving senses, extenuate once meant "to make light of" and "to make thin or emaciated"; although those senses are now obsolete, the connection to tenuare can be traced somewhat more clearly through them. Extenuate is today mostly at home in technical and legal contexts, but it occasionally appears in general writing with what may be a developing meaning: "to prolong, worsen, or exaggerate." This meaning, which is likely due to a conflation with extend or accentuate (or both), is not yet fully established.

Synonyms

• deodorize
• excuse
• explain away
• gloss (over)
• gloze (over)
• palliate
• whitewash

Examples of extenuate in a Sentence

don't even try to extenuate their vandalism of the cemetery with the old refrain of “Boys will be boys”

Recent Examples on the Web

Overall, once a month is a general guideline, barring any extenuating circumstances. —Essence, 3 Apr. 2024

But there are some extenuating circumstances with Bronco and Ranger, which should have really strong numbers the rest of the year. —Detroit Free Press, 3 Apr. 2024

The pressure to keep a star Barring any unknown extenuating factors, Taylor Swift’s 13 Grammys are hers forever. —Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 10 Feb. 2024

Nearly all instances feature extenuating circumstances, often with the coach leaving on his own. —Journal Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2024

According to Airbnb, information on the application of its extenuating circumstances policy is provided to hosts and guests directly through their individual Airbnb accounts. —Rob Wile, NBC News, 16 Aug. 2023

Pisacane agrees that extenuating circumstances justify a refund. —Li Goldstein, Bon Appétit, 29 Feb. 2024

There are extenuating reasons Jazz at Lincoln Center may have picked this weekend to mount its own festival: Namely, the Association of Performing Arts Presenters’ annual conference is held in mid-January, bringing industry professionals and performers to New York. —Giovanni Russonello, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2024

The court, however, did not consider that an extenuating circumstance in its ruling. —Joseph Wilson, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin extenuatus, past participle of extenuare, from ex- + tenuis thin — more at thin

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

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Kids Definition

extenuate

verb

ex·​ten·​u·​ate ik-ˈsten-yə-ˌwāt 

extenuated; extenuating

: to try to make less serious by partial excuses

extenuation

-ˌsten-yə-ˈwā-shən

noun