/ Dictionary / Index E extenuating circumstances: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: exten'uating cir'cumstances Pronunciation: [key] — Law. Law. circumstances that render conduct less serious and thereby serve to reduce the damages to be awarded or the punishment to be imposed. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. extenuate extenuation Related Content Daily Word Quiz: arid Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language