1. (v. t.) To lessen; to weaken the force of; to diminish the severity of crime, guilt, faults; as, extenuating circumstances\ -- opposed to aggravate.

2. (v. t.) To make thin or slender; to draw out so as to lessen the thickness.

3. (v. t.) To lower or degrade; to detract from.

4. (v. i.) To become thinner; to make excuses; to advance palliating considerations.

5. (a.) Thin; slender.

abate allay alleviate allow for apologize assuage attemper attenuate bank the fire bate blunt chasten color constrain control cramp cripple damp dampen de-emphasize deaden debilitate devitalize dilute diminish downplay dull ease enervate enfeeble eviscerate exhaust explain gloss over gruel ignore justify keep within bounds lay lay low lenify lessen lighten make allowance for mince mitigate moderate modulate obtund palliate play down qualify rationalize rattle reduce reduce the temperature remit restrain sap shake shake up slacken slow down slur over smother sober sober down soft-pedal soften soften up stifle subdue sugarcoat suppress tame temper tone down tune down unbrace undermine underplay unman unnerve unstrengthen unstring varnish veneer water down weaken white whiten whitewash