Standard Lemma guide

extenuating

adj · verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • CMU ARPABET: IH0 K S T EH1 N Y UW0 EY2 T IH0 NG Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

That attenuates or lessens the seriousness of something, , e.g. by providing a mitigating excuse for it.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

present participle and gerund of extenuate

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: form-of, gerund, participle, present

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adjective satellite

Meaning 3

partially excusing or justifying

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • extenuating circumstances

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Latin ex (“to delete, to cross out”) and tenuatus, past participle of tenuare (“to make thin”) + Middle English -ing. By surface analysis, ex- + tenuate + -ing.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: verzachtend — Translations
  • French: atténuant — Translations
  • Spanish: atenuante — Translations
  • Spanish: extenuante — Translations
  • Spanish: extenuador — Translations