How to pronounce extenuating
Say it like ik-STEN-yoo-ay-ting. Extenuating has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STEN).
- ik
- STEN
- yoo
- ay
- ting
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Extenuating 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.
- ayGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- tingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of extenuating
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: ik-STEN-yoo-ay-ting.
What does extenuating mean?
- present participle and gerund of extenuate How to pronounce extenuate
- That attenuates or lessens the seriousness of something, e.g. by providing a mitigating excuse for it.
Where does extenuating come from?
From Latin ex (“to delete, to cross out”) and tenuatus, past participle of tenuare (“to make thin”) + Middle English -ing.
Questions about saying extenuating
How do you pronounce extenuating?
Say ik-STEN-yoo-ay-ting. The American pronunciation is /ɪkˈstɛnjuˌeɪtɪŋ/. In British English it is /ɪkˈstɛnjuːˌeɪtɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in extenuating?
Extenuating has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (STEN). Broken into parts: ik · STEN · yoo · ay · ting.
Is extenuating pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ɪkˈstɛnjuːˌeɪtɪŋ/ (ik-STEN-yoo-ay-ting).