Extenuate

Pronunciation: /ɪkˈstɛnjuːˌeɪt/

Extenuate (verb)

  1. to make a mistake or crime seem less serious or more forgivable.

Examples

  • The lawyer tried to extenuate the client's actions in court.
  • She hoped her apology would extenuate the situation.

Common collocations: extenuate circumstances, extenuate actions, extenuate mistakes

Synonyms of Extenuate

Formal

Neutral

Antonyms of Extenuate

  • — When discussing increasing severity.
  • — When discussing increasing impact or seriousness.