About The Word Extenuate

Bay Area Crosswords

Learn about the word Extenuate to help solve your crossword puzzle. Discover Extenuate definitions and meaning, origins, synonyms, related terms and more at the free Crossword Dictionary.

Extenuate

Extenuate Meaning & Definition
Extenuate Definition And Meaning

What's The Definition Of Extenuate?

[v] lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of; "The circumstances extenuate the crime"

Synonyms | Synonyms for Extenuate: mitigate | palliate

Related Terms | Find terms related to Extenuate: abate | allay | alleviate | allow for | apologize | assuage | attemper | attenuate | bank the fire | bate | blunt | chasten | color | constrain | control | cramp | cripple | damp | dampen | deaden | debilitate | de-emphasize | devitalize | dilute | diminish | downplay | dull | ease | enervate | enfeeble | eviscerate | exhaust | explain | gloss over | gruel | ignore | justify | keep within bounds | lay | lay low | lenify | lessen | lighten | make allowance for | mince | mitigate | moderate | modulate | obtund | palliate | play down | qualify | rationalize | rattle | reduce | reduce the temperature | remit | restrain | sap | shake | shake up | slacken | slow down | slur over | smother | sober | sober down | soften | soften up | soft-pedal | stifle | subdue | sugarcoat | suppress | tame | temper | tone down | tune down | unbrace | undermine | underplay | unman | unnerve | unstrengthen | unstring | varnish | veneer | water down | weaken | white | whiten | whitewash

See Also | apologise | apologize | excuse | justify | rationalise | rationalize

Extenuate In Webster's Dictionary

\Ex*ten"u*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Extenuated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Extenuating}.] [L. extenuatus, p. p. of extenuare to make thin, loosen, weaken; ex out + tenuare to make thin, tenuis thin. See {Tenuity}.] 1. To make thin or slender; to draw out so as to lessen the thickness. His body behind the head becomes broad, from whence it is again extenuated all the way to the tail. --Grew. 2. 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. But fortune there extenuates the crime. --Dryden. Let us extenuate, conceal, adorn the unpleasing reality. --I. Taylor. 3. To lower or degrade; to detract from. [Obs.] Who can extenuate thee? --Milton. Syn: To palliate; to mitigate. See {Palliate}.
\Ex*ten"u*ate\, v. i. To become thinner; to make excuses; to advance palliating considerations. --Burke.
\Ex*ten"u*ate\, a. [L. extenuatus, p. p.] Thin; slender. [Obs.] --Huloet.

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