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Definitions for Extenuate

[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 . to make thin, lean, or emaciated. to reduce the consistency or density of.
[5] to represent (an offence, a fault, etc) as being less serious than it appears, as by showing mitigating circumstances
[6] to cause to be or appear less serious; mitigate
[7] to underestimate or make light of
[8] archaic to emaciate or weaken to dilute or thin out

Words related to Extenuate

palliate, minimize, reduce, soften, excuse, qualify, decrease, diminish, downplay, moderate, justify

Words nearby Extenuate

extensor muscle of fingers, extensor muscle of index finger, extensor muscle of little finger, extensor retinaculum, extent, extenuate, extenuating, extenuating circumstance, extenuating circumstances, extenuation, extenuatory

Origin of Extenuate

1375–1425; late Middle English (adj.) < Latin extenuātus, past participle of extenuāre, equivalent to ex- ex-1 + tenuāre to make thin or small; see -ate1

Other words from Extenuate

ex·ten·u·at·ing , adjective
ex·ten·u·a·tive , adjective
ex·ten·u·a·tor , noun
non·ex·ten·u·a·tive , adjective

Word origin for Extenuate

C16: from Latin extenuāre to make thin, from tenuis thin, frail

Synonyms for Extenuate

decrease, diminish, downplay, excuse, justify, minimize, moderate, palliate, qualify, reduce, soften, make allowances