attenuate

/ə-ˈten-yə-ˌwāt/

verb

  1. to lessen the amount, force, magnitude, or value of : weaken

  2. to reduce the severity, virulence, or vitality of

  3. to make thin or slender

… shows great skill in the use of language to moderate or attenuate the impact of awkward facts.

adjective

  1. reduced especially in thickness, density, or force

  2. tapering gradually usually to a long slender point

the attenuate limbs of a starving person