extenuation
/ɪkˌstɛnjuˈeɪʃən/
noun
- The act of making a fault or problem seem less serious, or a reason given to do so.
- He spoke in extenuation of his mistake, explaining that he had been under a lot of stress.
- The lawyer's plea for extenuation did not convince the jury.
- In extenuation of her poor grades, she mentioned that she had been ill for several weeks.
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