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Mitigate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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mitigate

[ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

reduce impact

Make (something bad) less severe, serious, or painful.

Synonyms

alleviate, diminish, ease, lessen, reduce.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
mitigate

Use when you're trying to make a bad situation less severe or painful, often in formal contexts or official statements.

  • The government is implementing new policies to mitigate the effects of the economic crisis
alleviate

Use when you want to lessen the intensity of pain or distress, often related to physical or emotional discomfort.

  • The medication helped alleviate her chronic back pain
lessen

Use when you want to make something smaller in amount, degree, or importance without necessarily removing it completely.

  • They took steps to lessen the environmental impact of their project
diminish

Use when referring to a reduction in size, importance, or intensity over time. It can have a slightly negative connotation if suggesting devaluation.

  • The company's profits have diminished over the last quarter
ease

Use when you want to make a situation more comfortable or less difficult, often associated with relieving stress or tension.

  • Taking a walk in the park helped ease her anxiety
reduce

Use when you need to lower the quantity or degree of something. It's commonly used in both formal and informal situations.

  • They are trying to reduce their carbon footprint

Examples of usage

  • The program is designed to mitigate poverty.
  • The new regulations aim to mitigate the environmental impact of the industry.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Environmental Science

  • In climate change discussions, to mitigate means to implement strategies that reduce carbon emissions.
  • Examples of mitigation efforts include planting trees, using renewable energy, and reducing waste.
  • The goal of mitigation is to lessen the impact of climate change on the planet.

Healthcare

  • In healthcare, mitigation may refer to actions taken to reduce the severity of diseases, like vaccinations.
  • Mental health professionals often aim to mitigate the effects of stress through coping strategies.
  • Preventive measures are crucial in mitigating the spread of infections.

Disaster Management

  • Mitigation in disaster management involves practices like building codes to withstand earthquakes.
  • Community preparedness programs help mitigate the effects of natural disasters on populations.
  • Insurance policies can also mitigate financial losses after a disaster strikes.

Urban Planning

  • Urban planners mitigate issues like traffic congestion by designing better road systems.
  • Green spaces in cities help mitigate the heat effects from urbanization.
  • Adaptive reuse of buildings can mitigate environmental impact by conserving resources.

Origin of 'mitigate'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'mitigare', which means 'to soften' or 'to calm'.
  • Related English words include 'mitigation', which refers to the act of making something less harsh.
  • In law, 'mitigating circumstances' can lessen the severity of a punishment.

The word 'mitigate' originated from the Latin word 'mitigare', which means 'to soften' or 'to moderate'. It entered the English language in the early 15th century. Over time, 'mitigate' has been used to describe the act of making something less severe or intense, with a focus on reducing the impact or harm caused by a particular situation or event.

See also: mitigation, mitigator, unmitigated.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,604, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.