extenuation
Lessening of blame
Extenuation is the act of making something seem less serious or less blameworthy than it is.
The word appears most often in the phrase in extenuation, offering partial justification for wrongdoing: In extenuation, he argued that he had acted under duress.
An extenuating circumstance doesn't excuse an offense but makes it more understandable.
Reduction of intensity
- lesseningBecoming reduced in degree
- reductionMaking something smaller
- softeningBecoming less firm
- moderationAvoidance of excess
tempering · amelioration · abatement · diminishment · palliation · lightening · easing · assuagement
Reason proving rightness
- defenseProtection against harm
- rationaleStated basis for action
- explanationStatement making something clear
- pleaFormal request or defense
apology · vindication · exculpation · alibi · pretext · reason · grounds · mitigating circumstances
Merciful treatment of offenders
- mercyCompassion toward offenders
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
- indulgenceYielding to desire
- toleranceWillingness to accept difference
compassion · forbearance · pardon · grace · understanding · lenience · charity · reduced sentence
alleviation
Reduction of intensity
moderation · tempering · amelioration · abatement · diminishment · palliation · lightening · easing · assuagement · relief
justification
Reason proving rightness
- defenseProtection against harm
- rationaleStated basis for action
- explanationStatement making something clear
plea · apology · vindication · exculpation · alibi · pretext · reason · grounds · mitigating circumstances · defense argument
clemency
Merciful treatment of offenders
- mercyCompassion toward offenders
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
- indulgenceYielding to desire
tolerance · compassion · forbearance · pardon · grace · understanding · lenience · charity · reduced sentence · consideration
- excusesexcuse, not my fault, overslept, alibi, excuses
extenuationamplification
Increase in intensity
magnification · exaggeration · intensification · aggrandizement · inflation
extenuationaggravation
State of being vexed
incrimination · condemnation · accusation · charge · blame
extenuationprosecution
Pursuing legal charges
vilification · damnation · arraignment · impeachment · attack
- extenuating circumstanceCondition reducing culpability
- extenuating factors