1. (noun)extenuation, mitigation a partial excuse to mitigate censure; an attempt to represent an offense as less serious than it appears by showing mitigating circumstances Synonyms: palliation, extenuation, mitigation, moderation
2. (noun)extenuation, mitigation, palliation to act in such a way as to cause an offense to seem less serious Synonyms: palliation, extenuation, mitigation, moderation