Mitigates

To mitigate means to lessen the gravity of an offense or fault, or to make something less severe, serious, or painful. It often involves taking steps to reduce the negative effects of something. This can apply to a variety of contexts, from environmental concerns to personal hardships. The goal is to reduce harm or make a negative situation more bearable. The action often requires proactive planning and execution to lessen the impact of a potential or existing problem. Essentially, it's about softening or reducing the intensity of something negative. A comprehensive approach typically considers the root causes and attempts to address them, as well as applying solutions to lessen effects.

Mitigates meaning with examples

• The new air filtration system significantly mitigates the impact of pollution on the city's residents, reducing the incidence of respiratory illnesses. This technology was implemented after a surge of illnesses were reported and the public's concern rose rapidly. The aim was to minimize the potential damage. The system aimed to remove pollutants.
• To *mitigate* the financial strain of the economic downturn, the government implemented several support programs, including unemployment benefits and tax breaks. These policies were implemented to help alleviate the public's worries and ease the burden on families struggling financially. The changes were intended to ease the financial pressures many people were facing.
• The lawyer presented evidence that mitigates the defendant's culpability, showing he acted under duress. His lawyers worked to lessen the severity of his client’s actions, hoping to change the outcome of the trial. Their goal was to show why the man's crime happened and to reduce the sentence.
• Farmers are learning to *mitigate* the effects of climate change on their crops by adopting drought-resistant seeds and implementing water conservation techniques. They are trying to become more resourceful as they find ways to adapt to the changes, striving to lessen damage, which could ensure their success.