Extenuante

Extenuante, derived from the Latin 'extenuare,' signifies circumstances or factors that lessen the severity or culpability of an offense or action. It presents mitigating elements that make a situation less blameworthy, providing justification or excuse to some degree. This word emphasizes the reduction of responsibility, acknowledging the impact of external pressures or internal constraints that diminished the actor's ability to exercise full control or make fully informed decisions. Often used in legal, ethical, and interpersonal contexts to offer a more nuanced understanding of complex situations.

Extenuante meaning with examples

• The defense attorney argued that the defendant's history of severe abuse, causing severe psychological distress, was an extenuante factor in the crime, potentially warranting a reduced sentence. His client's past experience, while not excusing the act, added context to the circumstances and decreased culpability. The court agreed that a lesser sentence would be warranted.
• The company faced criticism for its environmental impact, but cited unprecedented economic hardship and governmental restrictions as extenuante circumstances, justifying the delay in implementing the new regulations. They claimed financial ruin could have been the outcome. Some critics accepted the explanation, while others considered it a convenient excuse.
• After a misunderstanding, she apologized for her harsh words, explaining that she was under immense pressure from her job and was dealing with personal struggles, making the circumstances extenuante. He understood her stress and frustration was likely due to the difficult experience. He accepted her apology, demonstrating the power of communication.
• When reporting the incident, the officer described the extreme weather conditions and the high-stress environment as extenuante factors contributing to his delayed response. He claimed weather conditions were unprecedented and he was dealing with severe danger at the moment of the event. His superiors took those factors into account during the investigation.
• Given the limited resources and unexpected challenges faced by the team, the project manager presented the setbacks as extenuante to the missed deadlines. These unforeseen circumstances were due to factors out of their control. The management team were understanding of the issues presented and gave a grace period.