mitigate

4 definitions • 6 examples

to make something less harmful, unpleasant, or bad:

It is unclear how to mitigate the effects of tourism on the island.

to make something less severe or less unpleasant:

Getting a lot of sleep and drinking plenty of fluids can mitigate the effects of the flu.

to make something less harmful, unpleasant, or bad:

technologies that can mitigate global warming

mitigate damage/risk The company was criticized for failing to mitigate risks at the plant.

mitigate the effects/impact of sth There isn't much more we can do to mitigate the negative effects of rising oil prices.

situations that are not an excuse for a crime, but that a court of law may consider to be important enough to reduce the blame or punishment of the accused person:

The judge said that there were no mitigating circumstances that would result in a lesser punishment.