as in excused
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 extenuated
Verb
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It was announced by the Vikings head coach that McCarthy was excused due to being at the hospital with his fiancée to welcome the arrival of his baby boy.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025 -
Likewise, with cameras on the trains in Charlotte, the public could be excused for wondering why there wasn’t a more immediate response after the event.—
Chicago Tribune,
Twin Cities,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The senior editor for the free speech absolutist Reason magazine said her firing was fully justified as being due to journalistic malpractice.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Sep. 2025
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In the YouGov survey conducted in the immediate aftermath of the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, 72 percent of Americans said violence is never justified, while 11 percent said it can sometimes be justified.—
Sarah Fortinsky,
The Hill,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Green then explained the medical and industrial applications for these new knits.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
11 Sep. 2025
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Her therapist – who Heming Willis accidentally referred to her as her own caregiver – explained how normal these feelings were.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The mural was whitewashed over in August 2019, covering the artwork.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
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Inside a former patio-furniture store, a cedar-shingled building with oak floors and whitewashed interiors, was a pop-up craft activity to keep kids busy, while oysters and Champagne sat on ice for later in the day.—
Stephanie Krikorian,
Curbed,
11 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Extenuated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extenuated. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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