extenuating circumstances

1. A situation or condition that provides an excuse for an action, as in Although Nancy missed three crucial rehearsals, there were extenuating circumstances, so she was not dismissed. This expression was originally legal terminology, denoting circumstances that partly excuse a crime and therefore call for less punishment or damages. [c. 1600]

Example Sentences

Swansea University students can access a carers passport to help facilitate reasonable adjustments and extenuating circumstances.

From BBC

There were, though, extenuating circumstances.

From BBC

After the public backlash, Taiwan announced additional exemptions for individuals with extenuating circumstances such as financial hardship, medical needs or safety concerns about traveling to China to search for records.

From Los Angeles Times

"The ability to reproduce sleeplike neural desynchronization in an awake state opens new possibilities for enhancing cognitive and perceptual performance in situations where sleep is not feasible -- such as for individuals with sleep disorders or in extenuating circumstances such as space exploration."

From Science Daily

He added that there were “extenuating circumstances” that he believed could factor into the case, but provided no details.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• exoneration 
• revenge