extenuate — to make something seem less serious or more forgivable by providing excuses or justifications
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to make something seem less serious or more forgivable by providing excuses or justifications
Pronunciation (IPA): /ɪkˈstenjueɪt/
Example Sentences
- His lawyer tried to extenuate the theft by claiming he stole bread to feed his hungry family.
- My mom always tries to extenuate my dad's terrible cooking by saying 'at least he tried!'
- The rain did not extenuate his lateness since he had plenty of time to prepare.
extenuate
VERB[/ɪkˈstenjueɪt/]
to make something seem less serious or more forgivable by providing excuses or justifications
The lawyer tried to extenuate his client's crime by revealing years of abuse.
He tries to extenuate, but evidence will accentuate
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Latin 'extenuatus', the past participle of 'extenuare', meaning 'to make thin or weaken'. The word combines the prefix 'ex-' (out) with 'tenuis' (thin), originally referring to physical thinning but later applied metaphorically to lessening the severity of something.
Breakdown
ex- (out) + tenuis (thin) + -ate (verb suffix) = extenuate (to make thin/weaken; to lessen in seriousness)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“His lawyer tried to extenuate the theft by claiming he stole bread to feed his hungry family.”
“My mom always tries to extenuate my dad's terrible cooking by saying 'at least he tried!'”
“The rain did not extenuate his lateness since he had plenty of time to prepare.”
“She tried to extenuate her phone addiction by calling it 'staying connected with friends.'”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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