extenuation
ik-sten-yoo-AY-shun
/ɪkˌstenjuˈeɪʃn/
The act of making a mistake or wrongdoing seem less serious by providing reasons or excuses.
Extenuation doesn't deny the crime but tries to 'thin out' the guilt by showing the circumstances were difficult.
The story behind the word. From 'tenuis', meaning 'thin'. To extenuate a crime is to 'thin it out' until it doesn't look so heavy or thick. It's the same root found in 'tenuous'.
Word relationships
- palliation: Palliation is making something seem less bad without removing the cause; extenuation is specifically about reducing blame.
- aggravation: Circumstances that make a crime or mistake seem even worse.
Commonly confused with
- mitigation: Mitigation is the act of lessening the punishment; extenuation is the act of explaining the circumstances that lead to that lessening.
Word family
- extenuate (verb): To make (guilt or an offense) seem less serious or more forgivable.
Collocations
- extenuating circumstances
- in extenuation of
- plead extenuation
Example sentences
- "While the theft was clear, the defendant's extreme poverty was considered in extenuation of the offense." A judge considering a sentence.
- "I offer no extenuation for my behavior; I was simply wrong and I am sorry." From a formal apology.
Memory hook
Extenuation: You are making the 'extent' of the crime 'tenuous' (thin). Thinning out the blame.
When not to use
Don't use this for a total exoneration; extenuation only reduces the blame, it doesn't remove it.
Fun facts
- 'Extenuating circumstances' is one of the most common set phrases in the English legal system.
Related words
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