How Do You Spell EXTENUATE?

Pronunciation: [ɛkstˈɛnjuːˌe͡ɪt] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "extenuate" is determined by the IPA phonetic transcription of its pronunciation: ɪksˈtɛn.ju.eɪt. The "ex" prefix means "out" or "away," and the "ten" root refers to "thin" or "lessen," indicating the word's meaning of mitigating or softening the severity of something. The "u" sound between "n" and "a" is unstressed and therefore pronounced as a neutral "schwa" sound, while the final "ate" suffix indicates a verb form.

EXTENUATE Meaning and Definition

1. The term "extenuate" is a verb that refers to the act of making something seem less severe, serious, or unacceptable, usually by providing mitigating factors or explanations. It involves attempting to lessen the impact, gravity, or culpability of a particular action, event, or situation, typically in order to make it appear more forgivable or understandable.

   When one seeks to extenuate, they strive to provide reasons, justifications, or excuses that can potentially reduce or eliminate the negative perception or consequences associated with something. By highlighting circumstances that might lessen the blame or make the offense or wrongdoing appear less significant, the individual aims to soften the negative judgment or punishment that could ensue.

   The process of extenuation often involves acknowledging the existence of certain unfavorable aspects of the situation or misconduct, but emphasizing mitigating factors that could alleviate the severity or negative implications. This could include highlighting factors such as lack of intention, coercion, extenuating circumstances, or various contextual considerations.

   In summary, "extenuate," as a verb, encompasses the act of minimizing the seriousness or guilt associated with a particular action, event, or situation by offering explanations, justifications, or mitigating factors. It aims to provide reasoning or context that may reduce the negative perception or consequences and make the offense or wrongdoing appear more forgivable or understandable.

2. To lessen; to diminish; to palliate, as a fault or crime; to mitigate.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for EXTENUATE

• extentuate
• exentuate
• extenuater
• extenuite
• extendatn
• excecuate
• extenciate

Etymology of EXTENUATE

The word extenuate comes from the Latin verb extenuare, which is a combination of two Latin words: ex, meaning out of or from, and tenuis, meaning thin or weak. Hence, the literal translation of extenuare is to make thin or to weaken. Over time, the word extenuate in English has evolved to mean to make less serious or to mitigate the impact of something.

Similar spelling words for EXTENUATE

• exuitant,
• accident-proneness,
• extent,
• over-extend,
• pro-oxidant,
• extensive,
• thermo-excitant,
• surface-extent,
• extend to,
• anti-oxidant,
• oxidant,
• extenuation,
• EXTND,
• extensile,
• still-extant,
• fall(accident),
• oxtant,
• extendable,
• extension,
• RE-EXTENT,
• accident-free,
• Excedent,
• extenuating,
• extended,
• extensible,
• excitant,
• extend,
• post-accident,
• excitement,
• accident,
• Exedent,
• accidente,
• Extenuatio,
• extendible,
• extensively,
• accident-prone,
• extant,
• co-extend,
• non-extant.

Conjugate verb Extenuate

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have extenuated

you would have extenuated

he/she/it would have extenuated

we would have extenuated

they would have extenuated

I would have extenuate

you would have extenuate

he/she/it would have extenuate

we would have extenuate

they would have extenuate

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been extenuating

you would have been extenuating

he/she/it would have been extenuating

we would have been extenuating

they would have been extenuating

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would extenuate

you would extenuate

he/she/it would extenuate

we would extenuate

they would extenuate

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be extenuating

you would be extenuating

he/she/it would be extenuating

we would be extenuating

they would be extenuating

FUTURE

I will extenuate

you will extenuate

he/she/it will extenuate

we will extenuate

they will extenuate

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be extenuating

you will be extenuating

he/she/it will be extenuating

we will be extenuating

they will be extenuating

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have extenuated

you will have extenuated

he/she/it will have extenuated

we will have extenuated

they will have extenuated

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been extenuating

you will have been extenuating

he/she/it will have been extenuating

we will have been extenuating

they will have been extenuating

IMPERATIVE

you extenuate

we let´s extenuate

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to extenuate

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was extenuating

you were extenuating

he/she/it was extenuating

we were extenuating

they were extenuating

PAST PARTICIPLE

extenuated

PAST PERFECT

I had extenuated

you had extenuated

he/she/it had extenuated

we had extenuated

they had extenuated

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been extenuating

you had been extenuating

he/she/it had been extenuating

we had been extenuating

they had been extenuating

PRESENT

I extenuate

you extenuate

he/she/it extenuates

we extenuate

they extenuate

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am extenuating

you are extenuating

he/she/it is extenuating

we are extenuating

they are extenuating

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

extenuating

PRESENT PERFECT

I have extenuated

you have extenuated

he/she/it has extenuated

we have extenuated

they have extenuated

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been extenuating

you have been extenuating

he/she/it has been extenuating

we have been extenuating

they have been extenuating

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it extenuate

SIMPLE PAST

I extenuated

you extenuated

he/she/it extenuated

we extenuated

they extenuated