mitigate

/ˈmɪt.ɪ.ɡeɪt/

Group 4Difficulty 1/3

Definition

(verb)
To make less severe, serious, or painful
GRE

Example in Context

The new building codes were designed to mitigate the impact of earthquakes on residential structures in the most vulnerable zones.

Synonyms

reducelessenease

Etymology

To soften the severity of something, like a cushion for a fall.

  • mitigare (Latin) — to soften

Memory Aid

🛡️Sounds like “mit i gate

When you MIT I GATE a problem, it's like putting a fluffy GATE around a monster to keep it from biting!

Visual Association

🛌A giant monster stomping around, but every step is cushioned by a soft mattress, reducing the chaos.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “mitigate” mean on the GRE?

mitigate (verb) means “To make less severe, serious, or painful”. The new building codes were designed to mitigate the impact of earthquakes on residential structures in the most vulnerable zones.

How to remember “mitigate” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “mitigate” sounds like “mit i gate”. When you MIT I GATE a problem, it's like putting a fluffy GATE around a monster to keep it from biting!

What are synonyms for “mitigate”?

Common synonyms: reduce, lessen, ease.