extenuation

Noun
  1. A partial excuse to mitigate censure;
    An attempt to represent an offense as less serious than it appears by showing mitigating circumstances (synset 106754423)
    is a type of: alibi, exculpation, excuse, self-justification - a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.
    same as: mitigation
  2. To act in such a way as to cause an offense to seem less serious (synset 100355409)
    is a type of: decrease, diminution, reduction, step-down - the act of decreasing or reducing something
    same as: mitigation, palliation

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