extenuating
Making fault smaller
Extenuating describes circumstances that partially excuse wrongdoing or reduce its severity.
An extenuating factor doesn't eliminate guilt but explains why judgment should be tempered: The jury considered extenuating circumstances—he'd been provoked and was under extreme stress.
Almost always modifies circumstances, factors, or conditions in legal and formal contexts.
Reducing harm or severity
- alleviatingMaking less severe
- lesseningBecoming reduced in degree
- moderatingMaking less extreme
- palliatingLessening pain or severity
tempering · softening · easing · ameliorating · attenuating · qualifying · diminishing · reducing
Conditions affecting an event
- factorsContributors to a result
- defenseProtection against harm
- pleaFormal request or defense
- acquittalFormal clearing of charges
leniency · clemency · mercy · pardon · exoneration · exculpation · vindication · reprieve
Concern for others' distress
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- toleranceWillingness to accept difference
- sympathyCompassionate understanding of others
- empathySharing another's emotions
forbearance · grace · indulgence · humanity · charity · benevolence · consideration · allowance
mitigating
Reducing harm or severity
- alleviatingMaking less severe
- lesseningBecoming reduced in degree
- moderatingMaking less extreme
palliating · tempering · softening · easing · ameliorating · attenuating · qualifying · diminishing · reducing · minimizing
circumstances
Conditions affecting an event
acquittal · leniency · clemency · mercy · pardon · exoneration · exculpation · vindication · reprieve · mitigation
compassion
Concern for others' distress
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- toleranceWillingness to accept difference
- sympathyCompassionate understanding of others
empathy · forbearance · grace · indulgence · humanity · charity · benevolence · consideration · allowance · latitude
extenuatingaggravating
Causing irritation or worsening
inculpatory · incriminating · damning · condemning · implicating
extenuatingaggravating
Causing irritation or worsening
exacerbating · magnifying · compounding · intensifying · worsening
- extenuating circumstanceCondition reducing culpability
- extenuating factors