extenuation

Definition of extenuationnext

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of extenuation Not surprisingly, fellow-travelers on the left criticized Conquest either from a wish to disbelieve the Soviet horrors or from an ideological sympathy that compelled extenuation of them. Peter J. Travers, National Review, 29 Mar. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extenuation
Noun
  • Despite Weakfall’s confession, the rape case against him collapsed.
    Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 30 June 2026
  • The 16-year-old killer accused of fatally stabbing a young man in the heart of Dyker Beach Park in Brooklyn made an impromptu confession to an off-duty cop just 45 minutes later, prosecutors said Monday.
    John Annese, New York Daily News, 29 June 2026
Noun
  • The acknowledgment reflects an unusual level of cooperation between Washington and Caracas despite years of intense political confrontation.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 July 2026
  • Amid all that drama, Dunham also gave Swift a special heartfelt shout-out in the acknowledgements section of her book.
    Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • For starters, there is one urgent mission the pope must take on the road to atonement.
    Laura Washington, Mercury News, 9 June 2026
  • But his atonement comes too late.
    Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 1 June 2026
Noun
  • For Alston, the scale of the effort offers a personal vindication.
    Veronica Ortega, CBS News, 30 June 2026
  • Markets do not pay for eventual intellectual vindication.
    Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
Noun
  • Dodger fans make noise in West Sacramento Dodgers fans, for the third straight game, packed the stands of Sutter Health Park and most stayed until the final out, even with their team trailing by six runs in the top of the ninth inning.
    Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
  • However, the bill was so contentious that in order to squeak it through, legislators stuffed it full of carve-outs and exemptions, allowing cities to delay implementation by passing their own plans to add density.
    Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • Senra found a small budget spread across 35 different shows with no coherent rationale for any of them.
    Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 5 July 2026
  • In the majority opinion, Chief Justice John Roberts explained the constitutional rationale behind the decision.
    Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • One rationalization turned into a system of secrecy.
    Mary Crossan, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
  • None of this makes any sense, except as desperate rationalizations from a man who cannot face facts and admit defeat.
    Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 16 June 2026
Noun
  • Creative output alone is no longer sufficient justification for investment.
    Gary Drenik, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • What was the breakdown for and against and what justifications did the majority give for its decision?
    Dana Taylor, USA Today, 1 July 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Extenuation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extenuation. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on extenuation

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!