/ɛkˈsɛnweɪt/ i EX-sen-wayt

Definitions

1. verb

to make something less severe or serious, or to reduce the severity or degree of something

“The judge tried to extenuate the defendant’s sentence, considering the circumstances of the case.”

2. verb

to try to make something seem less severe or serious, often in order to avoid punishment or blame

“The lawyer’s job was to extenuate the client’s actions and make them seem less culpable.”

3. noun

the act of making something seem less severe or serious

“The extenuation of the sentence was a key factor in the appeal.”

4. noun

a circumstance or factor that makes something seem less severe or serious

“The extenuation of the weather conditions helped to reduce the severity of the storm’s impact.”

5. verb

to make something more severe or serious

“The news report helped to extenuate the public’s perception of the crime.”