noun
1. a partial excuse to mitigate censure; an attempt to represent an offense as less serious than it appears by showing mitigating circumstances
• Syn: ↑mitigation
• Derivationally related forms: ↑mitigate (for: ↑mitigation), ↑extenuate
• Hypernyms: ↑excuse, ↑alibi, ↑exculpation, ↑self-justification
2. to act in such a way as to cause an offense to seem less serious
• Syn: ↑mitigation, ↑palliation
• Derivationally related forms: ↑palliate (for: ↑palliation), ↑mitigate (for: ↑mitigation), ↑extenuate
• Hypernyms: ↑decrease, ↑diminution, ↑reduction, ↑step-down
Useful english dictionary. 2012.