Extenuating
/ɪkˈstenjueɪtɪŋ/adjective
Making a problem or guilty action seem less serious by providing reasons for it.
The court took into account the extenuating circumstances of her childhood.
Often appears as...
- extenuating circumstances
- under extenuating conditions
Usage tips
Formal
Legal
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Legal Context
Often used in legal situations to describe factors that may reduce a sentence.
His attorney argued that there were extenuating factors justifying his actions.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Excuses
'Extenuating' doesn't mean an excuse, it suggests reasons that make the issue less severe.
She cited her illness as an extenuating circumstance for missing the deadline.
Pro Tip 3/3Seriousness Reduction
Use it when you want to express that something serious has been made to seem less so.
Despite the extenuating factors, the committee still decided to impose a penalty.
Compare with
alleviateexcusejustifymitigatemoderatepalliativequalifyreduce
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