The word "extenuatory" refers to something that serves to mitigate or lessen the seriousness of an offense or wrongdoing. Some synonyms for "extenuatory" include "excusatory", "justifying", "mitigating", "palliative", and "ameliorating". These words all suggest that something is being done to make a situation less severe or to offer an explanation or justification for an action that might otherwise be seen as harmful or wrong. Choosing the right synonym for "extenuatory" depends on the context and the specific meaning you want to convey. However, all of these words suggest an attempt to minimize blame or responsibility in some way.