extenuatory

American

[ik-sten-yoo-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] / ɪkˈstɛn yu əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

adjective

tending to extenuate; characterized by extenuation; extenuating.

Etymology

Origin of extenuatory

From the Late Latin word extenuātōrius, dating back to 1800–10. See extenuate, -tory ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And, having given this humorous twist to his argument, he glides off into extenuatory matter.

From Sterne by Traill, H. D. (Henry Duff)

No discussion was even invited with the German ambassador over the case, and Count von Bernstorff apparently did not want to make his usual extenuatory or defensive pleas.

From The Story of the Great War, Volume V (of 8) Battle of Jutland Bank; Russian Offensive; Kut-El-Amara; East Africa; Verdun; The Great Somme Drive; United States and Belligerents; Summary of Two Years' War by Churchill, Allen L. (Allen Leon)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023