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DictionarymitigateMake less severe
verb

mitigate

MIT-ih-gayt/ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/

To make something less severe, harmful, or painful.

The sandbags mitigate the threat from rising water beside the house.

Workers placing sandbags to reduce damage from rising water beside a house, mitigating harm clear, no text.
Etymology
mitLatingentle, soft
+igateLatinto do, perform

The roots combine the ideas of softness and doing: to make something mild. Latin used the verb for softening, mellowing, and soothing, connecting physical gentleness with reducing pain or severity.

In context

Dr Emily Splichal8:47
icing is to mitigate the vasodilation response it is a vasoconstrictor
How to Reduce Foot Swelling Post-Injury and Post-Surgery with Dr Emily

More examples

  • The barriers mitigate the risk of falling debris.
  • He hopes the apology will mitigate the harm he caused.
  • The plan includes measures to mitigate flooding.

Forms

mitigate · mitigates · mitigated · mitigating

Similar words

alleviate
Emphasizes easing distress or a burden.
lessen
Lessen simply reduces; mitigate specifically reduces severity, damage, or hardship.