C2 verb /ɪkˈstɛnjueɪt/
extenuate
entschärfen
Meaning
to make an offense, fault, or situation seem less serious by providing an excuse or explanation
Example
The lawyer tried to extenuate his client's actions by highlighting his difficult childhood.
Der Anwalt versuchte, die Taten seines Klienten zu entschärfen, indem er seine schwierige Kindheit hervorhob.