mitigate
To make something less severe, serious, or painful.
Examples
In a meeting
“We implemented safeguards to mitigate the risk of data loss.”
Over coffee
“Wearing earplugs should mitigate the noise from construction.”
Why this word
reduce
Mitigate specifically means to lessen severity or harm, particularly of something negative, while reduce is more general
lessen
Mitigate carries a formal, technical tone appropriate for risk management and legal contexts
ease
Ease suggests making something more comfortable, while mitigate focuses on reducing damage or negative impact
Usage tip
Implies reduction, not elimination. Pairs naturally with 'risk', 'damage', 'impact', and 'effects'.
Etymology
Latin mitigare — mitis (soft, gentle) + agere (to do, drive)
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Related words
alleviate
To make suffering, a problem, or a burden less severe.
remedy
To fix or correct something that is wrong; a solution to a problem.
undermine
To gradually weaken or damage something, often secretly or indirectly.
contingency
A backup plan for something that might happen
resolve
To settle or find a solution to a problem or dispute.
compensate
To make up for something unwelcome by providing a counterbalancing benefit; to pay someone for work.