mitigate

Verb
Synonyms: extenuatepalliate

WordNet 3.0

Verb (2)

  1. lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of“The circumstances extenuate the crime”Synonyms: extenuatepalliate
  2. make less severe or harsh“mitigating circumstances”
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Mitigate \Mit"i*gate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mitigated; p. pr. & vb. n. Mitigating.] [L. mitigatus, p. p. of mitigare to soften, mitigate; mitis mild, soft + the root of agere to do, drive.]

1.To make less severe, intense, harsh, rigorous, painful, etc.; to soften; to meliorate; to alleviate; to diminish; to lessen; as, to mitigate heat or cold; to mitigate grief. [1913 Webster]

2.To make mild and accessible; to mollify; -- applied to persons. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

This opinion . . . mitigated kings into companions.— Burke.[1913 Webster]

Syn: To alleviate; assuage; allay. See Alleviate. [1913 Webster]

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