extenuations

Let us hear no more defenses, no more special pleading, no more extenuations.

Think Progress » ThinkFast: April 14, 2010 2010

There have been many blind spots and extenuations where Obama is concerned, the point being, these are politicians.

Hillary: "I'm Staying In This Race Until There's A Nominee" 2009

But there are other extenuations circumstances that influence you, too.

CNN Transcript Dec 28, 2007 2007

But there are other extenuations circumstances that influence you, too.

CNN Transcript Sep 21, 2007 2007

Heaven forbid that it should be known that you had it but once in your thought, be your motives ever so noble and generous, to follow so bad an example, the rather, as that you would, in such a case, want the extenuations that might be pleaded in my favour; and particularly that one of being surprised into the unhappy step!

Clarissa Harlowe 2006

We bring extenuations and excuses even to our favorites.

Don Quixote at Eighty Leonard, John 2003

Brethren, I desire not to offend any party, but I must needs say that these sins are not to be cloaked over with excuses, extenuations, or denials.

The Reformed Pastor 1615-1691 1974

Here are opportunities, here are advantages, here are specious pleas and pretences; some ground is already got by former arguings; here are extenuations of the evil, hopes of pardon by after endeavours, all in a readiness: if he can do nothing now, he must sit down lost in his undertakings.

Of Temptation 1616-1683 1967

If we could only consider a little when things annoy us, and reflect how much worse they might be, and how differently they would affect us even under less favourable circumstances than those in which we are placed; but instead of making the best of every thing, we only dwell on the annoyance, regardless of many extenuations that may attend it.

A Book for the Young Sarah French

With him, in such cases, no _nuances_ or extenuations are admissible; you are with or against Fals-Semblant; there is no middle way; a compromise is a treason; and is there anything worse than a traitor?

A Literary History of the English People From the Origins to the Renaissance Jean Jules Jusserand