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

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 Fire crews were fighting the blaze in smaller numbers because the threat to homes and people have been mitigated. — Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2026 The Rio Indio reservoir project is a plan to create a new lake to feed the canal, increase water storage capacity, mitigate lower water levels and serve as a safety measure against future droughts. — Hira Humayun, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026 This expresses my bullish view while trying to define and mitigate the downside. — Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026 With subsequent analysis of the weather phenomena and pilot training to mitigate these encounters, airlines have been able to nearly eliminate these fatal accidents worldwide. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mitigate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mitigate

Verb

He was appointed as a special advisor for water infrastructure after last year’s rupture and prepared a report for the government on improvements to alleviate the island’s water problems.

— Isabel Rosales, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
But the Cloaca Maxima was primarily designed to drain marshland and alleviate flooding.

— Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of alleviate

Verb

Having Maxx Crosby back on the field will help, but improvements need to be made if the Raiders want to be competitive.

— Sam Warren, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
The committee would eventually disband without an answer, despite the fact that Selig had helped engineer the sale of the team in 2005 to Lew Wolff, an old University of Wisconsin frat buddy, and John Fisher.

— Barry M. Bloom, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of help

Verb

There might be a best practice emerging with general rules to live by, but the exact products and ingredients that trigger or soothe your skin will be highly individualized.

— Bella Webb, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
And many people feel a teaspoon of honey or perhaps tea with honey can soothe a scratchy throat.

— Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of soothe

Verb

Anti-anxiety medications, including benzodiazepines such as Ativan, Librium, Xanax and Valium, can work quickly to ease extreme worry, fear, social anxiety or panic attacks.

— Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
Bidets may also ease discomfort from hemorrhoids, fistulas and anal fissures, and help people with chronic diarrhea or conditions that require frequent wiping.

— Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of ease

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mithridates

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mitigated

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“Mitigate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mitigate. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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