mitigate
verb (used with object)
to lessen in force or intensity, as wrath, grief, harshness, or pain; moderate.
had been mitigating
-
past perfect progressiveof mitigate.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Smith said there had been mitigating factors and he had reduced the £1.853m fine by a third as the company had entered an early guilty plea.
From BBC ● Jun. 2, 2026
But the prime minister, who oversees the ministerial code, kept Ms Patel in post, saying she was not a "bully" and there had been "mitigating" circumstances behind her behaviour.
From BBC ● Nov. 12, 2021
