Mitigate: meaning, definitions and examples

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

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

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

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

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

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