mitigate

Formsmitigates, mitigating, mitigated

1. 1
   verbtransitive

   To make something bad less serious or easier to deal with.

   Wearing a helmet can mitigate the harm from a bad fall.

   The company is mitigating the problem by hiring more staff.

   Similarlessen, reduce, alleviate, ease, soften

   Oppositeaggravate, worsen, exacerbate, intensify

   Note
2. 2
   verbintransitive

   To help stop a problem before it happens.

   "Locking the gate at night should mitigate against break-ins," Dad said.

   "We've mitigated against the worst problems," the coach told us.

   Similarmilitate

   Note
3. 3
   verbtransitive

   To make something seem smaller or less bad than it really is.

   She tried to mitigate her mistake by saying it was no big deal.

   The coach mitigated the loss, telling reporters it was just one bad game.

   Similardownplay, minimize, understate

   Oppositeexaggerate, overstate

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