extenuating
Upper-Intermediate (B2)
IPA: /ɪkˈstɛnjuˌeɪtɪŋ/
KK: /ɪkˈstɛnjuˌeɪtɪŋ/
adjective
Definition
Something that makes a situation less serious or more understandable by providing a reason or excuse.
Example
The judge considered the extenuating circumstances before making a decision.
Conversation
I heard you missed the meeting yesterday; what happened?
I had some extenuating circumstances with my family, unfortunately.
That makes sense, family comes first after all.
Exactly! I hope they understand my situation.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
mitigating
justifying
alleviating
Antonyms
aggravating
exacerbating
worsening
verb
Definition
To make a situation seem less serious or more forgivable by providing excuses or reasons.
Example
The lawyer presented extenuating circumstances to reduce the defendant's sentence.
Tense Forms
Past: extenuated
Past Participle: extenuated
Conversation
I heard you had to miss the meeting yesterday.
Yeah, I had some extenuating circumstances that came up last minute.
That sounds stressful! I hope everything is okay now.
Root Explanation
Extenuating → It is formed from "ex-" (meaning out of or from) and "tenuare" (meaning to make thin or lessen). The word describes circumstances that lessen the severity or seriousness of a situation.
Memory Tip
Think of circumstances that 'lessen' ('tenuare') the seriousness of a situation, as 'ex-' means out of or from.
Visually Confused Words
unextenuating