mitigate
UK: /ˈmɪt.ɪ.ɡeɪt/ | US: /ˈmɪt̬.ə.ɡeɪt/
vt. to make something less severe, harmful, or painful
vt. to lessen the gravity of an offense or mistake
mitigate = mit<soft/mild> + ig<drive/do> + ate<verb suffix>
- mit<soft/mild>: From Latin mitis (gentle, mild).
- ig<drive/do>: From Latin agere (to do, drive), appearing here in a reduced form.
- ate<verb suffix>: A common English verb-forming suffix from Latin -atus.
Etymology Origin:
The word mitigate originates from Latin mitigare, combining mitis (soft/mild) and agere (to do/drive). The core idea is "to make mild" or "to soften." Over time, it evolved in English to specifically mean reducing severity or intensity, whether in physical pain, emotional distress, or legal consequences. The logic reflects a literal "softening" action, preserving the original Latin roots while narrowing its application.
Planting trees can help mitigate the effects of climate change.
The lawyer argued that his client’s remorse should mitigate the punishment.
Emergency funds are designed to mitigate financial crises.
She took painkillers to mitigate the discomfort after surgery.
Early intervention can mitigate the risk of chronic illness.