extenuate Synonyms

Synonyms

Strongest:

• palliate
• excuse
• justify
• explain

Strong:

• rationalize
• whitewash
• deodorize
• explain-away
• alleviate
• minimize
• gloze-over-
• confess
• gloss-over-
• mitigate
• atone
• apologize

Weak:

• varnish
• sugarcoat
• play-down
• soft-pedal
• lessen
• absolve
• vindicate
• moderate
• acquit
• lighten
• exonerate
• soften
• account-for-
• temper
• ease
• exculpate

extenuate Meaning

Wordnet

extenuate (v)

lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of

Webster

extenuate (v. t.)

To make thin or slender; to draw out so as to lessen the thickness.

To lessen; to palliate; to lessen or weaken the force of; to diminish the conception of, as crime, guilt, faults, ills, accusations, etc.; -- opposed to aggravate.

To lower or degrade; to detract from.

Webster

extenuate (v. i.)

To become thinner; to make excuses; to advance palliating considerations.

Webster

extenuate (a.)

Thin; slender.

extenuate Sentence Examples

1. The defendant's lawyer tried to extenuate his client's crime by arguing that he had been provoked.
2. The politician's attempt to extenuate his past mistakes only served to further alienate his constituents.
3. The company's public relations department issued a statement attempting to extenuate the negative publicity surrounding the product recall.
4. The teacher refused to extenuate the student's tardiness, saying that everyone has to follow the rules.
5. The judge refused to extenuate the defendant's sentence, saying that the crime was too serious.
6. The doctor tried to extenuate the patient's pain by prescribing a strong pain reliever.
7. The lawyer tried to extenuate the witness's testimony by pointing out that she had a history of mental illness.
8. The politician tried to extenuate his own involvement in the scandal by blaming his staff.
9. The company tried to extenuate the environmental impact of its operations by planting trees and installing solar panels.
10. The athlete tried to extenuate his poor performance by saying that he had been injured.

FAQs About the word extenuate

What is the meaning of the word extenuate

lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent ofTo make thin or slender; to draw out so as to lessen the thickness., To lessen; to palliate; to lessen or

What are the synonyms of the word extenuate

palliate,excuse, justify, explain, rationalize,whitewash, deodorize, explain away, alleviate, minimize

What are the antonyms of the word extenuate

No antonyms found.

What is the usage of word extenuate

The defendant's lawyer tried to extenuate his client's crime by arguing that he had been provoked.

The politician's attempt to extenuate his past mistakes only served to further alienate his constituents.

How to use the word extenuate in a sentence?

The company's public relations department issued a statement attempting to extenuate the negative publicity surrounding the product recall.

The teacher refused to extenuate the student's tardiness, saying that everyone has to follow the rules.