MITIGATE Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'mitigate' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of mitigate are allay , alleviate , assuage , lighten , and relieve . While all these words mean "to make something less grievous," mitigate suggests a moderating or countering of the effect of something violent or painful. // the need to mitigate barbaric laws

Q: Where would 'allay' be a reasonable alternative to 'mitigate'?

The synonyms allay and mitigate are sometimes interchangeable, but allay implies an effective calming or soothing of fears or alarms. // allayed their fears

Q: When could 'alleviate' be used to replace 'mitigate'?

While in some cases nearly identical to mitigate , alleviate implies temporary or partial lessening of pain or distress. // the lotion alleviated the itching

Q: When might 'assuage' be a better fit than 'mitigate'?

While the synonyms assuage and mitigate are close in meaning, assuage implies softening or sweetening what is harsh or disagreeable. // ocean breezes assuaged the intense heat

Q: When would 'lighten' be a good substitute for 'mitigate'?

In some situations, the words lighten and mitigate are roughly equivalent. However, lighten implies reducing a burdensome or depressing weight. // good news would lighten our worries

Q: When can 'relieve' be used instead of 'mitigate'?

The words relieve and mitigate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, relieve implies a lifting of enough of a burden to make it tolerable. // took an aspirin to relieve the pain

mitigate

verb

ˈmi-tə-ˌgāt

Definition of mitigate

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as in to alleviate

to make more bearable or less severe this medicine should mitigate the pain until the strained muscle heals itself

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How is the word mitigate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of mitigate are allay, alleviate, assuage, lighten, and relieve. While all these words mean "to make something less grievous," mitigate suggests a moderating or countering of the effect of something violent or painful.

the need to mitigate barbaric laws

Where would allay be a reasonable alternative to mitigate?

The synonyms allay and mitigate are sometimes interchangeable, but allay implies an effective calming or soothing of fears or alarms.

allayed their fears

When could alleviate be used to replace mitigate?

While in some cases nearly identical to mitigate, alleviate implies temporary or partial lessening of pain or distress.

the lotion alleviated the itching

When might assuage be a better fit than mitigate?

While the synonyms assuage and mitigate are close in meaning, assuage implies softening or sweetening what is harsh or disagreeable.

ocean breezes assuaged the intense heat

When would lighten be a good substitute for mitigate?

In some situations, the words lighten and mitigate are roughly equivalent. However, lighten implies reducing a burdensome or depressing weight.

good news would lighten our worries

When can relieve be used instead of mitigate?

The words relieve and mitigate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, relieve implies a lifting of enough of a burden to make it tolerable.

took an aspirin to relieve the pain

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of mitigate Courtney suggests talking with a plumber or contractor because there are ways to mitigate the slower recovery time. —Jeff Brady, NPR, 19 Mar. 2025 So the stakes in the Consumers’ Research case are mitigated somewhat because the Court’s Republican majority has already given itself the power to veto federal agency actions. —Ian Millhiser, Vox, 19 Mar. 2025 But only Defendants possess the documents and information that Plaintiffs need to confirm public reporting and identify which agencies Defendants will target next so Plaintiffs can seek preliminary relief and mitigate further harm. —Ars Technica, 19 Mar. 2025 Below are four practical strategies boards can adopt to ensure their AI initiatives thrive while mitigating risks. —Rohan Sharma, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mitigate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mitigate

Verb

The team may want to alleviate some of his workload to help preserve his game.

— Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
The surfeit of interested workers has not alleviated the labor shortage.

— Emily Witt, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2025