| Rating | Solver | Clue |
|---|---|---|
| MITIGATION | Extenuation | |
| EXCUSER | One who offers excuses or pleads in extenuation of the fault of another. | |
| EXCUSE | The act of excusing, apologizing, exculpating, pardoning, releasing, and the like; acquittal; release; absolution; justification; extenuation. | |
| PALLIATION | The act of palliating, or state of being palliated; extenuation; excuse; as, the palliation of faults, offenses, vices. |