Phrase guide

extenuating circumstance

noun · 1 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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1

noun

Meaning 1

Any fact that mitigates or lessens a crime.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: in-plural

Qualifier: or general usage

Topics: law

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: attenuating circumstance, mitigating circumstance, mitigating factor

Antonyms: aggravating circumstance, aggravating factor, aggravation

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

20 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: circumstància attenuant — fact that mitigates a crime
  • Czech: polehčující okolnost — fact that mitigates a crime
  • Danish: formildende omstændigheder — fact that mitigates a crime
  • Dutch: verzachtende omstandigheid — fact that mitigates a crime
  • Finnish: lieventävä asianhaara — fact that mitigates a crime
  • French: circonstance atténuante — fact that mitigates a crime
  • German: mildernder Umstand — fact that mitigates a crime
  • German: mildernde Umstände — fact that mitigates a crime
  • Greek: ελαφρυντική περίσταση (elafryntikí perístasi) — fact that mitigates a crime
  • Hungarian: enyhítő körülmény — fact that mitigates a crime
  • Italian: attenuante — fact that mitigates a crime
  • Italian: circostanza attenuante — fact that mitigates a crime
  • Norwegian Bokmål: formildende omstendigheter — fact that mitigates a crime
  • Polish: okoliczność łagodząca — fact that mitigates a crime
  • Portuguese: atenuante — fact that mitigates a crime
  • Romanian: circumstanțe atenuante — fact that mitigates a crime
  • Russian: смягча́ющее обстоя́тельство (smjaxčájuščeje obstojátelʹstvo) — fact that mitigates a crime
  • Spanish: circunstancia extenuante / extenuadora — fact that mitigates a crime
  • Swedish: förmildrande omständigheter — fact that mitigates a crime
  • Thai: เหตุบรรเทาโทษ (hèet-ban-tao-tôot) — fact that mitigates a crime