Definition

Mitigate refers to the act of lessening the severity, intensity, or impact of something, typically a problem, crisis, or negative situation. It involves taking steps to reduce or alleviate the negative effects of a situation, often through proactive measures.

Pronunciation

US English

UK English

Part of speech

Verb

Synonyms

alleviate, reduce, lessen, temper, ease, moderate, relieve, abate, mollify, palliate, assuage, soften, ameliorate

Antonyms

aggravate, exacerbate, worsen, intensify

Example sentences

  • The company took steps to mitigate the environmental impact of its operations.
  • The doctor prescribed medication to mitigate the patient’s pain.
  • The government implemented policies to mitigate the effects of the economic downturn.
  • The homeowner installed hurricane shutters to mitigate damage during a storm.

Usage

Mitigate is a term that is often used in the context of problem-solving, crisis management, and risk reduction. It involves taking proactive measures to lessen the impact of a negative situation, rather than simply reacting to it after the fact. The word comes from the Latin root “mitigare,” which means “to make mild or gentle."

There are several variations of the word mitigate, including mitigating (adjective) and mitigation (noun). Mitigating is often used to describe factors or circumstances that lessen the severity or impact of a situation, while mitigation refers to the act or process of mitigating.

The prefix “mit-” is derived from the Latin word “mītis,” meaning “soft or mild,” and is often used in words that convey the sense of softening, lessening, or reducing. The suffix “-ate” is often used to form verbs, indicating the act of performing or carrying out the action of the root word. Therefore, mitigate literally means “to make less severe or intense."

Overall, mitigate is a term that connotes a sense of proactive and intentional action to reduce the negative effects of a situation. Its various forms and variations can help to provide a more nuanced understanding of its meaning and usage in different contexts