extenuate [ ik-sten-yoo-eyt ]
verb (used with object), ex·ten·u·at·ed, ex·ten·u·at·ing.
1. to represent (a fault, offense, etc.) as less serious: to extenuate a crime.
2. to serve to make (a fault, offense, etc.) seem less serious.
3. to underestimate, underrate, or make light of: Do not extenuate the difficulties we are in.
4. Archaic.
a. to make thin, lean, or emaciated.
b. to reduce the consistency or density of.
RELATED FORMS
ex·ten·u·at·ing, adjective
ex·ten·u·a·tive, adjective
ex·ten·u·a·tor, noun
non·ex·ten·u·a·tive, adjective
RELATED WORDS
palliate, minimize, reduce, soften, excuse, qualify, decrease, diminish, downplay, moderate, justify
See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com
Origin: 1375–1425; late Middle English (adj.) < Latin extenuātus, past participle of extenuāre, equivalent to ex- ex- + tenuāre to make thin or small; see -ate
Now YOU come up with a sentence (or fic? or graphic?) that best illustrates the word.