extenuate

🇬🇧 UK/ik'stenjueit/🇺🇸 US

TOEFLGREC2

Definitions

To lessen the seriousness of a fault or offense by providing partial excuses.

减轻（罪行等的严重性），为…找借口

Native English

exout of, former

tenuother

ateto make, having

=extenuate

1.
The lawyer tried to extenuate the client's behavior by explaining mitigating circumstances.
2.
Nothing can extenuate such deliberate cruelty toward innocent animals.