Synonym Chooser

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

Examples 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 Compression socks direct more blood from your legs to your GI tract, mitigating the issue, according to a 2022 study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 5 Nov. 2024 However, these efforts have not sufficiently mitigated the problem. David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024 And even as the Senate map has become more daunting for Democrats with West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin retiring, opportunities to mitigate GOP gains have opened up in Texas and, increasingly, Nebraska. Andrew Torgan, CNN, 4 Nov. 2024 To mitigate these risks, businesses should use diverse, representative data and conduct regular audits to detect biases in AI models. Partha Desarkar, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mitigate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mitigate
Verb
  • Research shows that yoga, for example, can help alleviate some of the tough emotions that come with PMS.
    Julia Ries, SELF, 4 Nov. 2024
  • Its softer side is heavy on body contouring to help alleviate pressure buildup along the shoulders and hips for side sleepers.
    Ashley Zlatopolsky, Architectural Digest, 31 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • Instead of waiting at home to fully recover, Master said, students should return to school with extra support from teachers and breaks in their schedule to relieve symptoms such as headaches or fatigue, with a goal of gradually doing more.
    Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024
  • Rest on your back with a pillow under your knees or on your side with your knees toward your chest to relieve or reduce lower-abdomen pressure.
    Michelle Pugle, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Golden State playing fast — much faster than Philadelphia — helps, too.
    Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
  • Seeing Murray use hot packs to keep the knees and ankles warm at halftime helped inspire Braun to use them.
    Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Instead, try to soothe yourself back to sleep by visualizing something calming, like leaves floating down a stream or bubbles blowing through the air on a summer day.
    Angela Haupt, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Lower temperature and more hat-wearing can lead to a flaky scalp, but these dandruff shampoos can help soothe your skin.
    Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Exercise will ease stress and encourage you to kick back, evaluate and conclude what’s best for you.
    Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
  • Getting outside and going on a walk or run is certainly one way to get some fresh air and ease your mind.
    Carolyn Burt, Orange County Register, 11 Nov. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Mitigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mitigate. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on mitigate

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