extenuate vs rationalize

extenuate and rationalize both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
extenuate	No	No	Yes	No
rationalize	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, rationalize is a hypernym of extenuate; that is, rationalize is a word with a broader meaning than extenuate:

Other hypernyms of extenuate include apologise, apologize, excuse, rationalise.

extenuate (verb)	rationalize (verb)
lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of	weed out unwanted or unnecessary things
	remove irrational quantities from
	think rationally; employ logic or reason
	defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning
	structure and run according to rational or scientific principles in order to achieve desired results