mitigate

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/
• American: MI-tuh-gayt

Origin

From Latin 'mitigatus', past participle of 'mitigare', meaning 'to soften, make mild', from 'mitis' (mild) + 'agere' (to do, act)

Meanings

1. To make less severe, serious, or painful
2. To reduce the severity or harmful effects of something
3. To lessen the force or intensity of something

Example Sentences

1. The new policies helped to mitigate the effects of climate change.
2. Taking aspirin can mitigate the pain of a headache.
3. The company took steps to mitigate potential financial losses.
4. Trees were planted along the highway to mitigate noise pollution.

Related Words

• Forms:

  • mitigates (3rd person singular)
  • mitigating (present participle)
  • mitigated (past tense)
  • mitigation (noun)
  • mitigative (adjective)
  • mitigatory (adjective)

• Synonyms:

  • alleviate
  • reduce
  • diminish
  • ease
  • lessen
  • soften
  • moderate

Memory Tricks

1. Think "MIGHTY-GATE": Like a gate that controls and reduces mighty problems
2. Break it down: "MIT(mild) + GATE" - a gate that makes things milder
3. Remember the phrase: "When you mitigate, you make things lighter in weight"