extenuating — serving to make a fault or offense seem less serious or more forgivable
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: serving to make a fault or offense seem less serious or more forgivable
Pronunciation (IPA): /ɪkˈstenjueɪtɪŋ/
Example Sentences
- His lawyer argued that poverty was an extenuating factor in the theft case.
- The teacher found extenuating circumstances in the student's excuse: his dog really did eat his homework... along with his backpack.
- The company cited extenuating market conditions for their delayed product launch.
extenuating
ADJECTIVE[/ɪkˈstenjueɪtɪŋ/]
serving to make a fault or offense seem less serious or more forgivable
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Latin extenuatus, meaning 'to make thin or weak.' The legal sense of 'making a fault seem less serious' developed from the idea of making something thinner or weaker.
Breakdown
ex- (out/away) + tenu- (thin) + -ating (making/causing)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“His lawyer argued that poverty was an extenuating factor in the theft case.”
“The teacher found extenuating circumstances in the student's excuse: his dog really did eat his homework... along with his backpack.”
“The company cited extenuating market conditions for their delayed product launch.”
“My mom accepted my extenuating circumstances for being late: I was stuck behind a parade of penguins.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
Want to master 19,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.