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

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 Palo Pinto County emergency services said no cars are leaking contents and that crews are on scene, mitigating the damage and hazards. Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2025 So are there any avenues for mitigating this tendency? IEEE Spectrum, 12 Aug. 2025 The protection up front was spotty, but Lance was able to mitigate that by escaping the pocket and scrambling to keep drives alive. Daniel Popper, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2025 Climate scientists anticipate if nothing is done to mitigate the toll of climate change, Wisconsin will have three times the number of extremely hot days and quadruple the number of extremely hot nights by 2050. Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 2 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for mitigate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mitigate
Verb
  • They’re designed to mimic the types of chairs in spaceships, alleviating dangerous pressure on the body.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2025
  • The second-year defensive coordinator ultimately believes an excellent pass rush can help alleviate the lack of experience on the back end.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • This transformative investment would also significantly relieve the crippling burden under which states and municipalities currently struggle to fund public education.
    Martin M. Looney, Hartford Courant, 20 Aug. 2025
  • People of all skin types should avoid formulas containing harsh or irritating ingredients that can worsen dryness rather than relieve it, according to Valerie Aparovich, a biochemist and certified cosmetologist-aesthetician at OnSkin.
    Nora Colomer may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Several providers offer programs to help lower costs for eligible customers. Internet service in Los Angeles offers a variety of options to match different budgets, speed needs and connection types.
    Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025
  • The best sunscreens contain moisturizing properties, and this offering boasts 7% glycerin to help draw in and retain moisture.
    Tatayana Yomary, Essence, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Grand Velas offers an all-suites setup, with rooms designed in soothing, contemporary neutrals with just enough pops of color to give rooms a sense of the energy running throughout the property.
    Margaux Lushing, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
  • Frow’s comments in Edinburgh could soothe some of these concerns, with the content chief seemingly being reassured by his conversation with his new bosses.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • On Monday, Trump announced an extraordinary deal for the U.S. government to take a 15% share of Nvidia's H20 chip sales in China as a condition for easing restrictions to allow the chip to be sold there.
    Maria Aspan, NPR, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Offering pet benefits is a remote-friendly option that can not only support employee well-being but also ease the financial pressures of modern pet ownership that all generations face.
    Cerys Goodall, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Mitigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mitigate. Accessed 29 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on mitigate

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