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Meaning of extenuating in English:

extenuating

Pronunciation /ɪkˈstɛnjʊeɪtɪŋ/

See synonyms for extenuating

adjective

  • (of a factor or situation) serving to lessen the seriousness of an offence.

    ‘library staff will waive fines where there are genuine extenuating circumstances’
    • ‘hunger and poverty are not treated by the courts as extenuating circumstances’
    forgive, pardon, absolve, exonerate, acquit
    View synonyms

Origin

Early 17th century (with the meaning ‘causing to become thin’): from extenuate.