View synonyms for

extenuating

[ik-sten-yoo-ey-ting]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

serving to make a fault, offense, etc., appear less serious.
The judge gave him a comparatively mild sentence due to extenuating circumstances.

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Other Word Forms

extenuatingly adverb
nonextenuating adjective
nonextenuatingly adverb
unextenuating adjective
unextenuatingly adverb

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Word History and Origins

Origin of extenuating¹

First recorded in 1600–10; extenuat(e) + -ing ²

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

After the public backlash, Taiwan announced additional exemptions for individuals with extenuating circumstances such as financial hardship, medical needs or safety concerns about traveling to China to search for records.

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He added that there were “extenuating circumstances” that he believed could factor into the case, but provided no details.

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Kasten said the Dodgers and other teams try to accommodate fans with extenuating circumstances.

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Additional time will be granted on a showing of “extenuating circumstances, including significant efforts to resettle,” the settlement reads.

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Being drunk can be considered an extenuating factor by a court and lead to a shorter prison sentence.

From

extenuate extenuating circumstance

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