English Reference

Word

mitigating

Phoneticsmit·i·gat·ing

US/ˈmɪtəˌɡeɪtɪŋ/

UK/mˈɪtɪɡˌeɪtɪŋ/

Definitions

01making a mistake less serious

C1

adj. making a bad action or a mistake seem less serious or easier to understand because of the reasons behind it.

adj. serving to reduce the perceived gravity or culpability of an offence or error by providing explanatory context.

“The judge considered his difficult childhood as a mitigating factor in the case.”

“The defence attorney argued that the defendant's extreme financial distress constituted a mitigating circumstance that warranted a reduced sentence.”

Formal · Academic

Usage

Commonly used in the fixed phrases 'mitigating factors' or 'mitigating circumstances'.

Synonyms

Antonyms

aggravatingexacerbating

02reducing harmful effects

C1 · Science

adj. reducing the harmful effects of something bad, like climate change or a disaster.

adj. acting to lessen the impact, severity, or painfulness of a negative phenomenon or event.

“Planting more trees is a key mitigating strategy against rising city temperatures.”

“Engineers are developing mitigating technologies to protect coastal infrastructure from the increasing frequency of storm surges.”

Technical · Academic

Usage

Often used in environmental, technical, or risk-management reports.

Antonyms

Real-World Examples

“But, in the court of public opinion, that might be seen as a mitigating factor.”
The Guardian · 13 Aug 2026
“Now scientists are beginning to explore whether changing how we sleep can play a role in mitigating the toll of night shifts, and potentially alleviate the ill-effects of disrupted nights.”
BBC News · 19 Jul 2026
“Each of those tradeoffs is reasonable for their respective situations and should be evaluated in the context of the threats they face and practical options for mitigating them.”
Ars Technica · 11 Aug 2026

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference