extenuating
/ɪkˈstɛnjuˌeɪtɪŋ/
adjective
- Describing factors or circumstances that make a fault or crime seem less serious or more understandable.
- The judge considered the defendant's difficult childhood as an extenuating circumstance.
- The school board took into account the extenuating family problems when deciding on the student's punishment.
- There were no extenuating factors that could explain why he lied to his friends.
Antonyms