mitigate
/ˈmɪt.ɪ.ɡeɪt/ · mit·i·gate
verb
- To reduce, lessen, or decrease the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something. The new safety measures helped mitigate the risk of accidents on the construction site.
- To downplay or make something appear less serious. He tried to mitigate the scandal by emphasizing his charitable work.
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Did you know? In legal terminology, "mitigating circumstances" can lessen the severity of a sentence, a usage that dates back to English common law in the 17th century.