Meaning : To act in such a way as to cause an offense to seem less serious.
Synonyms : extenuation, palliation
Meaning : A partial excuse to mitigate censure. An attempt to represent an offense as less serious than it appears by showing mitigating circumstances.
Synonyms : extenuation
Meaning : The action of lessening in severity or intensity.
Example :
The object being control or moderation of economic depressions.
Synonyms : moderation