mitigate

Mitigate is defined as to make something less severe, less harsh or less painful.

(verb)

An example of mitigate is to reduce a prison sentence.

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See mitigate in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb, intransitive verb mitigated, mitigating

  1. to make or become milder, less severe, less rigorous, or less painful; moderate
  2. Origin: < confusion with militate

    to operate or work (against): generally considered a loose or erroneous usage

Origin: ME mitigaten < L mitigatus, pp. of mitigare, to make mild, soft, or tender < mitis, soft (see mignon) + agere, to drive: see act

Related Forms:

See mitigate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb mit·i·gat·ed, mit·i·gat·ing, mit·i·gates
verb, transitive
To moderate (a quality or condition) in force or intensity; alleviate. See Synonyms at relieve.
verb, intransitive
To become milder.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English mitigaten

Origin: , from Latin mītigāre, mītigāt-

Origin: : mītis, soft

Origin: + agere, to drive, do; see act

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Related Forms:

  • mitˈi·ga·ble (-gə-bəl) adjective
  • mitˌi·gaˈtion noun
  • mitˈi·gaˌtive, mitˈi·ga·toˌry (-gə-tôrˌē, -tōrˌē) adjective
  • mitˈi·gaˌtor noun

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