extenuation Synonyms

palliation mitigation excusal palliative mitigating justification extenuatory extenuating explanation exoneration excuse pardon plea pretext apologia whitewashing whitewash vindication softening remittal remission relief reduction reason exculpation diminution apologetics answer alleviatory alleviation alibi advocacy acquittal account absolution abridgment apology approval argument diminuendo defense defence decrease contraction color cause basis attenuation assuagement abatement