mitigate

Formsmitigates, mitigating, mitigated

1. 1
   verbtransitive

   To lessen something bad, such as a problem or flaw, so that it becomes less severe or easier to bear.

   The city planted thousands of trees to mitigate the effects of summer heat.

   Damage from the flood was mitigated by early warnings to residents.

   Similarlessen, reduce, alleviate, ease, soften

   Oppositeaggravate, worsen, exacerbate, intensify

   Note

   Its object is the bad thing itself: consequences, a disease, retaliation, even the glare of a landscape that blue spectacles mitigated for H. G. Wells. Middle English used it of soothing pain and appeasing the mind, and the idea of easing rather than removing survives: what is mitigated is still there, only less severe. That is why George Washington could pair it with prevent, as the weaker of two hopes.

2. 2
   verbintransitive

   To work toward preventing a problem, or to have an effect that helps prevent it.

   "Our new backup system will mitigate against data loss," the IT manager told the staff.

   The organizers say they have mitigated against delays by hiring two extra drivers.

   Similarmilitate

   Note

   A use that crosses two verbs: speakers say mitigate against where militate against, to work against something, is the standard choice. Usage guides count it as an error, because the ordinary verb takes a direct object: you mitigate a risk, not against it. In careful writing, use militate against, or mitigate with a plain object, as in mitigate the risk of flooding.

3. 3
   verbtransitive

   To make something seem less serious or important than it actually is.

   The minister tried to mitigate the scale of the losses, calling them a minor setback.

   In his statement he mitigated his role in the scheme, describing himself as a mere messenger.

   Similardownplay, minimize, understate

   Oppositeexaggerate, overstate

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