extenuate
/ɪkˈstɛnjuˌeɪt/
verb
- To make a wrongdoing or problem seem less serious or more understandable by giving reasons or excuses.
- The lawyer tried to extenuate his client's actions by pointing out the difficult circumstances.
- She attempted to extenuate her lateness by blaming the heavy traffic.
- Nothing can extenuate the harm caused by spreading false rumors about someone.