adjective

extenuating

Extenuating (adjective) means making a fault or crime seem less serious by providing a partial excuse. Example: “The judge showed leniency because of extenuating circumstances.”

adjective

Making a fault or crime seem less serious by providing a partial excuse.

"The judge showed leniency because of extenuating circumstances."

How to use extenuating

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDescribes circumstances that help explain or soften the blame for something wrong.

Common pairings

extenuating circumstances

Word forms

more extenuating comparative, most extenuating superlative

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The judge showed leniency because of _____ circumstances.

Etymology

From Latin ex- ("out") plus tenuare, "to make thin" — the idea of "thinning out" blame.

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for extenuating

mating rating eating dating hating heating grating stating beating coating skating seating

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Frequently asked questions

What does “extenuating” mean?

The word “extenuating” means making a fault or crime seem less serious by providing a partial excuse. In plain terms, describes circumstances that help explain or soften the blame for something wrong.

How do you use “extenuating” in a sentence?

Here is “extenuating” used in a sentence: “The judge showed leniency because of extenuating circumstances.”

What part of speech is “extenuating”?

“Extenuating” is an adjective.

Where does the word “extenuating” come from?

The word “extenuating” comes from Latin. From Latin ex- ("out") plus tenuare, "to make thin" — the idea of "thinning out" blame.