mitigate
mitigate Lexical Profile
mitigate Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To make something bad, painful, or severe less intense or serious.
"Planting native trees along the riverbank will help mitigate soil erosion during heavy seasonal rains."
To lessen the gravity of an offense or mistake by providing partial excuses or extenuating circumstances.
"The defense attorney presented evidence of the defendant's clean record to mitigate the severity of the sentence."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'mitigate' (a transitive verb meaning to lessen the severity of something) with 'militate' (an intransitive verb usually followed by 'against', meaning to serve as a strong factor preventing something).
• Rhymes for mitigate
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the 15th century from Latin 'mitigatus', the past participle of 'mitigare' ('to soften or make mild'), combining 'mitis' ('mild, gentle') and the root of 'agere' ('to do or drive').