- to represent (a fault, offense, etc.) as less serious: to extenuate a crime.
- to serve to make (a fault, offense, etc.) seem less serious.
- to underestimate, underrate, or make light of: Do not extenuate the difficulties we are in.
- Archaic.
- to make thin, lean, or emaciated.
- to reduce the consistency or density of.
- to represent (an offence, a fault, etc) as being less serious than it appears, as by showing mitigating circumstances
- to cause to be or appear less serious; mitigate
- to underestimate or make light of
- archaic
- to emaciate or weaken
- to dilute or thin out
