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Synonyms
ex·ten·u·ate (ĭk-stĕńyōō-āt́)

[Latin extenuāre, extenuāt-, ex-, ex-, + tenuāre, to make thin (from tenuis, thin; see ten-).]

transitive verb: -at·ed, -at·ing, -ates. 

  1. To lessen or attempt to lessen the magnitude or seriousness of, especially by providing partial excuses. See synonyms at palliate
  2. Archaic
    1. To make thin or emaciated.
    2. To reduce the strength of.
  3. Obsolete To belittle; disparage.

derivatives

ex·teńu·átive
adjective noun
ex·teńu·átor
noun
ex·teńu·a·tóry
adjective