mitigating
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
mitigating \mitigating\ adj. serving to reduce blame; -- of situations; as, mitigating factors; mitigating circumstances. Opposite of aggravating. [Narrower terms: exculpatory]
Syn: extenuating. [WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
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]