extenuating circumstance

noun

, Law.

Usually extenuating circumstances. a circumstance that renders conduct less serious and thereby serves to reduce the damages to be awarded or the punishment to be imposed.

First recorded in 1830–40

There is not one extenuating circumstance to temper the indignation of him who believes in justice and humanity.

If it is added that the wife has been "nurtured in the lap of luxury," that is accepted as an additional extenuating circumstance.

But I saved her at night, when I innocently supposed her beautiful—let this be the extenuating circumstance.

He admitted it, though apologetically and with every extenuating circumstance which he could remember.

Every possible extenuating circumstance was brought to bear upon his sentence.

April 18, 2024petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

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