What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
extenuate
Example
The defendant's lawyer tried to extenuate his client's actions by highlighting his difficult childhood. [extenuate: verb]
Example
The fact that she was under a lot of stress can extenuate her behavior. [extenuate: verb]
mitigate
Example
The company implemented measures to mitigate the environmental impact of its operations. [mitigate: verb]
Example
The doctor prescribed medication to mitigate the patient's pain. [mitigate: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Mitigate is more commonly used than extenuate in everyday language. Mitigate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while extenuate is less common and often associated with legal contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between extenuate and mitigate?
Both extenuate and mitigate are formal words that are typically used in professional or academic contexts. However, extenuate may have a more negative connotation and be seen as an attempt to excuse bad behavior, while mitigate has a more neutral or positive connotation as it implies taking action to address a problem.
