extenuate
UK: /ɪkˈstɛn.ju.eɪt/ | US: /ɪkˈstɛn.ju.eɪt/
vt. to make (guilt or an offense) seem less serious by offering excuses or mitigating circumstances
vt. to lessen the strength or effect of something (e.g., a problem or argument)
extenuate = ex<out> + tenu<thin> + ate<verb suffix>
- ex (Latin: "out of, from")
- tenu (Latin: "thin," from tenuis meaning "slender, weak")
- ate (verb-forming suffix indicating action or process)
Etymology Origin:
Derived from Latin extenuare ("to make thin, reduce"), combining ex- (intensifying "out") + tenuis ("thin"). The original sense referred to physically thinning something, but by the 16th century, it evolved metaphorically to mean "weakening the force of guilt or blame." The logic mirrors thinning a substance to dilute its impact—here applied to abstract concepts like fault or severity.
The lawyer tried to extenuate the client’s crime by emphasizing his difficult upbringing.
Nothing can extenuate the harm caused by such negligence.
His apology did little to extenuate the offense in the eyes of the public.
She attempted to extenuate her tardiness by blaming traffic.
Historical context may extenuate but cannot justify the decision.