Extenuating
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
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.
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.
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.
Never forget "Extenuating"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
Philip Howard: Four ways...
and that's because we have the wrong frame of reference. We've been trained to think that the way to look at every dispute, every issue, is a matter of kind of individual rights. And so we peer through a legal microscope, and look at everything. Is it possible that there are extenuating circumstances that explain why Johnny
Video examples
Philip Howard: Four ways...
and that's because we have the wrong frame of reference. We've been trained to think that the way to look at every dispute, every issue, is a matter of kind of individual rights. And so we peer through a legal microscope, and look at everything. Is it possible that there are extenuating circumstances that explain why Johnny
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Richard Dawkins
English Scientist
The central dogma of the New Testament is that Jesus died as a scapegoat for the sin of Adam and the sins that all we unborn generations might have been contemplating in the future. Adam's sin is perhaps mitigated by the extenuating circumstance that he didn't exist.
Quote examples
Chris Gardner
American Businessman
Nine times out of 10, extenuating circumstances aside, I believe that people are where they are by some kind of choice on their part. You need to acknowledge that, 'Hey, I'm here because I steered my horse in this direction.
Quote examples
Lionel Shriver
American Journalist
As individuals are best off believing they control their behaviour, the judiciary is best off imputing that control - barring powerful extenuating factors such as mental illness.
Quote examples
Clayton M. Christensen
American Author
Life is an unending stream of extenuating circumstances.
Quote examples
Richard Dawkins
English Scientist
The central dogma of the New Testament is that Jesus died as a scapegoat for the sin of Adam and the sins that all we unborn generations might have been contemplating in the future. Adam's sin is perhaps mitigated by the extenuating circumstance that he didn't exist.
Quote examples
Chris Gardner
American Businessman
Nine times out of 10, extenuating circumstances aside, I believe that people are where they are by some kind of choice on their part. You need to acknowledge that, 'Hey, I'm here because I steered my horse in this direction.
Quote examples
Lionel Shriver
American Journalist
As individuals are best off believing they control their behaviour, the judiciary is best off imputing that control - barring powerful extenuating factors such as mental illness.
Quote examples
Clayton M. Christensen
American Author
Life is an unending stream of extenuating circumstances.
Example 1 of 4
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension