Extenuate: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• Derived from the Latin word 'extenuare,' which means to make thin or lessen.
• The prefix 'ex-' means 'out' or 'from,' while 'tenuare' relates to making something thinner.
• The term has been used since the late 15th century in English.

Legal Context

• In legal settings, extenuating circumstances can lessen a defendant's culpability.
• Judges often consider such factors when determining sentencing, impacting the severity of the punishment.
• Common examples include mental health issues or extreme emotional distress at the time of the offense.

Psychology

• People often look for ways to extenuate their mistakes to avoid guilt or shame, a common psychological defense mechanism.
• Rationalization, where individuals offer excuses for their behavior, is closely related to extenuating circumstances.
• Feeling empathy for someone can make us more likely to accept their extenuating reasons for a mistake.

Literature

• Authors often use extenuating circumstances to develop complex characters, making their actions more relatable.
• Tragic heroes may exhibit flaws that can be extenuated, leading to a deeper narrative exploration of their choices.
• Shakespeare used this concept in many of his plays, showcasing characters who have justifiable reasons for their deeds.

Social Interaction

• In conversations, people frequently extenuate their errors to maintain social harmony or avoid conflict.
• The act of providing context can change others' perceptions of a mistake, highlighting the importance of understanding.
• It’s common in both personal relationships and professional settings to seek ways to soften criticism using extenuating reasons.

This word's position of #32,974 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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• 32971 creationism
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• 32973 debutante
• 32974 extenuate
• 32975 ingenuously
• 32976 sideshow
• 32977 bleakness
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