“Attenuate” vs. “Extenuate”: What’s the Difference?
Jun 8, 2023
Engram
The difference between “attenuate” and “extenuate”
- Attenuate refers to the lessening of strength or force, while extenuate refers to the lessening of severity or culpability.
- Attenuate can refer to physical or chemical changes, while extenuate is more commonly used in legal or social contexts.
- Attenuate implies a reduction in substance, while extenuate often involves explaining or justifying the facts surrounding a situation.
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What is the definition of “attenuate” and “extenuate”?
Attenuate
- To weaken or reduce in intensity.
- To make something thin or slender.
- To decrease the amount or force of a substance.
Extenuate
- To make something seem less serious or severe.
- To provide an excuse or justification for something.
- To lessen the guilt or culpability of someone or something.
Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?
“Attenuate” is the more popular variant on the web.
More popular
Attenuate
52,500,000 results on the web
Examples
- The noise-cancelling feature of the headphones helped attenuate the sound of the airplane engine.
- The virus weakened and attenuated over time, losing its potency.
- The trees on the hillside attenuated the impact of the strong winds.
Extenuate
398,000 results on the web
Examples
- The lawyer tried to extenuate the defendant's actions by arguing that he was under extreme emotional distress at the time.
- Her sincere apology did not extenuate the severity of the mistake she made at work.
- The mitigating circumstances that extenuated the suspect's guilt were not taken into account during the trial.
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