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 Big Tech names, for example, have been able to mitigate this risk by lowering their exposure to China. Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2024 Some counties, like Sonoma, earlier declared a state of emergency to help mitigate the effects of the disaster, including assistance for businesses. Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 19 Dec. 2024 The environmental impact could be mitigated with smarter usage choices. Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Dec. 2024 Power to about 40,000 customers had been shut off by Monday night, including 11,000 in LA County, as Southern California Edison worked to mitigate the impacts of the Santa Ana winds, whose strong gusts can damage electrical equipment and spark wildfires. Jae C. Hong, TIME, 11 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mitigate 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mitigate
Verb
  • This not only alleviates the need for lots of human moderators, but now allows for moderation at scale in real time which isn't possible without the help of AI.
    Kathleen Walch, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
  • Circulation is your best friend in helping alleviate everything that ails you; these compression sleeves are great as a preventative measure or to put on after a long day exploring.
    Carin Ryan, Travel + Leisure, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • To emphasize this message, an accompanying teaser video features the three artists working to relieve the stress and bring joy in various people’s lives, from offering students a study break, to taking an overtime shift for an exhausted worker, and joining two elderly folks in love.
    Anna Chan, Billboard, 26 Dec. 2024
  • Home Remedies Research suggests that peppermint oil may help relieve minor symptoms.
    Mark Gurarie, Health, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • He’s been a French spy ever since John helped him out of a British prison 20 years ago.
    Lincee Ray, EW.com, 28 Dec. 2024
  • That Bramall Lane Boxing Day result helped condense the picture at the top of the Championship.
    Michael Walker, The Athletic, 28 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Only have 30 minutes to soothe your rage before family dinner?
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 Dec. 2024
  • From hydrating to shine-controlling to soothing, each face mist is designed to tackle specific skin-care concerns and should complement your existing regiment.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Conversely, getting a good night’s rest often seems to ease anxiety and take the edge off negative memories, studies suggest.
    Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 23 Dec. 2024
  • This weather pattern, driven by atmospheric rivers, has already delivered substantial precipitation this fall and early winter, easing drought conditions and boosting snowpack in the region.
    Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Mitigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mitigate. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on mitigate

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