
tr.v., -at·ed, -at·ing, -ates.
- To lessen or attempt to lessen the magnitude or seriousness of, especially by providing partial excuses. See synonyms at palliate.
- Archaic.
- To make thin or emaciated.
- To reduce the strength of.
- Obsolete. To belittle; disparage.
[Latin extenuāre, extenuāt- : ex-, ex- + tenuāre, to make thin (from tenuis, thin).]
extenuative ex·ten'u·a'tive adj. & n.extenuator ex·ten'u·a'tor n.
extenuatory ex·ten'u·a·to'ry (-ə-tôr'ē, -tōr'ē) adj.







