tenuous (TEN yoo us) adj flimsy; extremely thin
Mnemonic:- The organization’s financial situation has always been tenuous; the balance of the
checking account is usually close to zero.
To attenuate is to make thin. Extenuating circumstances are those that lessen the magnitude of
something, especially a crime.
- Cherrie admitted that she stole the snacks but claimed that there were extenuating
circumstances: She had no money to buy food for her dog.