extenuate

American  

[ik-sten-yoo-eyt] / ɪkˈstɛn yuˌeɪt /

verb (used with object)

extenuated, extenuating

1. to represent (a fault, offense, etc.) as less serious.

   to extenuate a crime.

2. to serve to make (a fault, offense, etc.) seem less serious.

3. to underestimate, underrate, or make light of.

   Do not extenuate the difficulties we are in.

4. Archaic.

   1. to make thin, lean, or emaciated.

   2. to reduce the consistency or density of.

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extenuate British  

/ ɪkˈstɛnjʊˌeɪt /

verb

1. to represent (an offence, a fault, etc) as being less serious than it appears, as by showing mitigating circumstances

2. to cause to be or appear less serious; mitigate

3. to underestimate or make light of

4. archaic

   1. to emaciate or weaken

   2. to dilute or thin out

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Other Word Forms

• extenuating adjective
• extenuation noun
• extenuative adjective
• extenuator noun
• extenuatory adjective
• nonextenuative adjective

Etymology

Origin of extenuate

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin extenuātus, past participle of extenuāre, equivalent to ex- ex- ¹ + tenuāre “to make thin or small”; thin; -ate ¹ ( def. )