adjective
extenuating
adjective
1
Making a fault or crime seem less serious by providing a partial excuse.
"The judge showed leniency because of extenuating circumstances."
How to Use Extenuating
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes circumstances that help explain or soften the blame for something wrong.
Common pairings
extenuating circumstances
Word Forms
more extenuating comparative, most extenuating superlative
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The judge showed leniency because of _____ circumstances.
Etymology
From Latin ex- ("out") plus tenuare, "to make thin" — the idea of "thinning out" blame.