How to pronounce extenuate
Say it like ik-STEN-yoo-ayt. Extenuate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce extenuate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ik
- STEN
- yoo
- ayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Extenuate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ikKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- STENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- yooKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- aytGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of extenuate
American and British speakers say extenuate in essentially the same way: /ɪkˈstɛnjuˌeɪt/ in the US and /ɪkˈstɛnjuːˌeɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: ik-STEN-yoo-ayt.
What does extenuate mean?
- lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of“The circumstances extenuate the crime”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with extenuate
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of extenuate.
Questions about saying extenuate
How do you pronounce extenuate?
Say ik-STEN-yoo-ayt. The American pronunciation is /ɪkˈstɛnjuˌeɪt/. In British English it is /ɪkˈstɛnjuːˌeɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in extenuate?
Extenuate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STEN). Broken into parts: ik · STEN · yoo · ayt.
Do Americans and Brits say extenuate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɪkˈstɛnjuˌeɪt/ and the British form is /ɪkˈstɛnjuːˌeɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.