mitigate
To make something less harmful, unpleasant, or bad. It is frequently used in discussions about reducing the negative effects of a problem.
Examples
3 of 5Planting more trees can help mitigate the impact of urban heat islands.
Planting more trees can help mitigate the impact of urban heat islands.
The company took steps to mitigate the risks associated with the new project.
The company took steps to mitigate the risks associated with the new project.
Taking an aspirin might mitigate your headache a little bit.
Taking an aspirin might mitigate your headache a little bit.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Mitigate sounds like 'make it gate'—putting a gate up to stop a flood (lessening the damage).
Quick Quiz
The city built a sea wall to _______ the risk of flooding.
Correct!
The correct answer is: mitigate
Examples
Planting more trees can help mitigate the impact of urban heat islands.
academicPlanting more trees can help mitigate the impact of urban heat islands.
The company took steps to mitigate the risks associated with the new project.
businessThe company took steps to mitigate the risks associated with the new project.
Taking an aspirin might mitigate your headache a little bit.
everydayTaking an aspirin might mitigate your headache a little bit.
Lawyers argued that there were mitigating circumstances for the defendant's behavior.
formalLawyers argued that there were mitigating circumstances for the defendant's behavior.
I tried to mitigate the damage by apologizing immediately.
informalI tried to mitigate the damage by apologizing immediately.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
mitigate the damage
mitigate the damage
fail to mitigate
fail to mitigate
seek to mitigate
seek to mitigate
Often Confused With
Militate means to be a powerful factor in preventing something; mitigate means to make something less severe.
Usage Notes
Very common in IELTS Task 2 essays when discussing solutions to environmental or social problems.
Common Mistakes
Do not confuse with 'meditate'. Also, 'mitigate' is usually used for negative things (you don't mitigate a success).
Memory Tip
Mitigate sounds like 'make it gate'—putting a gate up to stop a flood (lessening the damage).
Word Origin
From Latin 'mitis', meaning 'soft or mild'.
Grammar Patterns
Quick Quiz
The city built a sea wall to _______ the risk of flooding.
Correct!
The correct answer is: mitigate
Related Vocabulary
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