noun
1. to act in such a way as to cause an offense to seem less serious (Freq. 1)
• Syn: ↑extenuation, ↑palliation
• Derivationally related forms: ↑palliate (for: ↑palliation), ↑mitigate, ↑extenuate (for: ↑extenuation)
• Hypernyms: ↑decrease, ↑diminution, ↑reduction, ↑step-down
2. a partial excuse to mitigate censure; an attempt to represent an offense as less serious than it appears by showing mitigating circumstances
• Syn: ↑extenuation
• Derivationally related forms: ↑mitigate, ↑extenuate (for: ↑extenuation)
• Hypernyms: ↑excuse, ↑alibi, ↑exculpation, ↑self-justification
3. the action of lessening in severity or intensity
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the object being control or moderation of economic depressions
• Syn: ↑moderation
• Derivationally related forms: ↑moderate (for: ↑moderation)
• Hypernyms: ↑decrease, ↑diminution, ↑reduction, ↑step-down
• Hyponyms: ↑abatement
Useful english dictionary. 2012.