extenuators
/ɪkˈstɛnjuˌeɪtərz/
noun
- Plural form of extenuator; people or things that make faults or problems seem less serious.
- The extenuators in the group argued that the mistake was not entirely the employee's fault.
- The committee included several extenuators who downplayed the severity of the budget cuts.
- These extenuators always find a way to excuse even the worst behavior.