extenuate
verb [ T ] formal uk/ɪkˈsten.ju.eɪt/ us/ɪkˈsten.ju.eɪt/
为（错误行为）辩解
to cause a wrong act to be judged less seriously by giving reasons for it
He was unable to say anything that might have extenuated his behaviour. 他拿不出任何理由为自己的行为辩解。