/
ˈmɪtɪgeɪt/
v.
[
often as adj. mitigating]
make less severe, serious, or painful.
Derivative
- mitigable adj.
- mitigation n.
- mitigator n.
- mitigatory adj.
Usage
The verbs mitigate and militate are often confused. Mitigate means ‘make less severe’, as in drainage schemes have helped to mitigate this problem, while militate is used with against to mean ‘be a powerful factor in preventing’, as in laws that militate against personal freedom.
Etymology
ME: from L. mitigat-, mitigare ‘soften, alleviate’.
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