What does "extenuate" mean?

The term "extenuate" refers to the act of making something seem less serious or important than it actually is. This often involves mitigating circumstances or justifications that lessen the perceived severity of an action or situation. In legal contexts, for example, a defendant may present extenuating circumstances that could lead to a lesser sentence, as they aim to diminish the seriousness of the offense.

The other options do not align with this meaning. For instance, "to cough or spit," "to transfer ownership," and "to cut out" each convey entirely different actions unrelated to the concept of diminishing seriousness or importance. Therefore, "to diminish the seriousness or importance" accurately captures the core meaning of "extenuate."