extenuate
pronunciation
How to pronounce extenuate in British English:
UK [ɪks'tenjʊeɪt]
How to pronounce extenuate in American English:
US [ɪkˈstɛnjuˌet]
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- Verb:
- lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
Word Origin
- extenuate (v.)
- 1520s, from Latin extenuatus, past participle of extenuare "lessen, make small, reduce, diminish, detract from," from ex- "out" (see ex-) + tenuare "make thin," from tenuis "thin" (see tenet). Used over the years in a variety of literal and figurative senses in English. Related: Extenuated; extenuating. Extenuating circumstances (1660s) are those which lessen the magnitude of guilt (opposed to aggravating).
Example
- 1. Nothing can extenuate such appalling behavior .
- 2. Nothing can extenuate such appalling behaviour .
- 3. Nothing can extenuate his base conduct .
- 4. We cannot extenuate your crime .
- 5. Nothing can extenuate such cruelty .