How to pronounce extenuation
Say it like ik-sten-yuh-AY-shun. Extenuation has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (AY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce extenuation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ik
- sten
- yuh
- AY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Extenuation 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.
- stenGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- yuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in book.
- AYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of extenuation
American and British speakers say extenuation in essentially the same way: /ɪkˌstɛnjʊˈeɪʃən/ in the US and /ɪkˌstɛnjʊˈeɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: ik-sten-yuh-AY-shun.
What does extenuation mean?
- The action or process of making or becoming thin; an instance of this; a shrunken condition; leanness, emaciation.
- The action of representing (something) as slight and trifling; underrating; an instance of this, a plea to this end; a modification in terms.
- The action of lessening, or seeking to lessen, the guilt of (an offense or fault) by alleging partial excuses; and instance or means of doing this; a plea in mitigation of censure.
Where does extenuation come from?
An adaptation of extenuātiōn-, the oblique stem of the Latin extenuātiō (“a thinning or diminishing”, “rarefaction”; rhetoric “a lessening”, “diminution”, “extenuation”), noun of action from extenuō (“to thin, reduce, or diminish”).
Words that rhyme with extenuation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of extenuation.
Questions about saying extenuation
How do you pronounce extenuation?
Say ik-sten-yuh-AY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ɪkˌstɛnjʊˈeɪʃən/. In British English it is /ɪkˌstɛnjʊˈeɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in extenuation?
Extenuation has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the fourth one (AY). Broken into parts: ik · sten · yuh · AY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say extenuation the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɪkˌstɛnjʊˈeɪʃən/ and the British form is /ɪkˌstɛnjʊˈeɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.