Extenuating

/ɪkˈstɛnjʊeɪtɪŋ/

Meaning & Definition

adjective

Servicing as a factor that lessens the seriousness or gravity of an offense.

The judge considered the extenuating circumstances of the defendant's life before deciding on the sentence.

Justifying or mitigating factors that reduce culpability.

Her extenuating circumstances, such as her illness, made the committee reconsider their decision.

Making an action or situation seem less serious or more forgivable.

He claimed that there were extenuating factors that led him to miss the deadline.

From Latin 'extenuare', meaning to make thin.

extenuating circumstances:

Factors that lessen the blame or seriousness of an action.

extenuating factors:

Conditions that provide justification for a person's actions.

To cover up or make excuses for wrongdoing.

He was just extenuating when he said he was late because of traffic.