If you say that there are extenuating circumstances for a bad situation or wrong action, you mean that there are reasons or factors which partly excuse it.
[formal]
The defendants admitting their guilt, but insisted that there were extenuating circumstances.
Synonyms: mitigating, qualifying, justifying, moderating More Synonyms of extenuating
Examples of 'extenuating' in a sentence
extenuating
Had testimonials of his character been given, extenuating circumstances considered?
Terman, Douglas CORMORANT (2001)
There are no extenuating circumstances that could lessen the severity of the crime I have committed.
David Cavanagh MUSIC FOR BOYS (2001)
(adjective)
There were extenuating circumstances for her crime.
Synonyms
mitigating
The judge heard that there were mitigating circumstances.