1. Circumstances or evidence that reduce the severity or culpability of an offense, fault, or mistake, often used in legal contexts to justify a lighter sentence or penalty
The judge considered the defendant's difficult childhood as one of the mitigating factors in sentencing.
O juiz considerou a infância difícil do réu como um dos fatores atenuantes na sentença.
2. Conditions or elements that make a situation less serious or blameworthy
There were several mitigating factors that explained the employee's poor performance, including personal illness.
Havia vários fatores atenuantes que explicavam o desempenho fraco do funcionário, incluindo doença pessoal.