mitigation

noun

mit·​i·​ga·​tion ˌmi-tə-ˈgā-shən 

plural mitigations

: the act of mitigating something or the state of being mitigated : the process or result of making something less severe, dangerous, painful, harsh, extensive, or damaging

mitigation of suffering

mitigation of punishment

There was, in sum, a period during the Cold War … when a mitigation of the Cold War, including a renegotiation of some of its most troublesome tensions, was possible or even probable.

—John Lukacs

Examples of mitigation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The general assembly created the task force during the 2025 session to study disaster preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation after Kentucky suffered three major natural disasters in the first 45 days of the year. —Stephanie Kuzydym, Louisville Courier Journal, 21 Nov. 2025

The state said its encouraging horse owners to continue to work with their veterinarians to assess risk and mitigation plans. —Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Nov. 2025

The Lee’s Summit City Council voted unanimously this week to put a new stormwater management and flood mitigation tax on the ballot in August 2026. —Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 21 Nov. 2025

Plumbers and water-mitigation crews shuttled in and out of the southeast corner of the mall, near 75th Avenue and Thomas Road. —Ronald J. Hansen, AZCentral.com, 20 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mitigation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Medical Definition

mitigation

noun

mit·​i·​ga·​tion ˌmit-ə-ˈgā-shən 

1

: the act of mitigating or state of being mitigated

the cure, prevention, or mitigation of disease

—Encyclopedia Americana

2

: something that mitigates

a large number of drugs and mitigations … at the clinic

—The Journal of the American Medical Association