as in to excuse
to make (something) seem less bad by offering excuses
don't even try to extenuate their vandalism of the cemetery with the old refrain of "Boys will be boys"
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extenuate
Verb
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When Levin was excused from the stand, Judge Mark Arnold asked if the defense was ready to put up another witness.—
Nancy Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
10 Feb. 2025 -
This might be excused as valor for protecting our planet if the science wasn’t questionable and Gov. Wes Moore’s other decisions weren’t poor.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Realizing the extent of losses from the Palisades and Eaton fires, perhaps the cost of greater water delivery capacity would now be justified.—
Harvey Levine,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2025
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The message is clear that he is justified in his actions and need not observe the law.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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During a press conference after the announcement, Cooper Manning explained how great the hospital is because his son, Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning, needed some treatment in the past.—
Scott Thompson,
Fox News,
7 Feb. 2025
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The 22-year-old, who shared her story in a Reddit post this week, explained that her also 22-year-old girlfriend, Layne, had been out of town dealing with personal matters.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Radiation can also be used to palliate painful bone metastases, as well as chemotherapy.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
1 Oct. 2024
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Senior-home avatars who are designed to palliate dementia patients in their darkest days.—
Longreads,
Longreads,
12 Apr. 2024
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Thesaurus Entries Near extenuate
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“Extenuate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extenuate. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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