mitigating

Rarely mit·i·ga·tive

[mit-i-gey-ting]

adjective

1. lessening the force, intensity, or severity of something, as punishment, danger, pain, anger, etc. (sometimes used in combination).

   The defense made only brief mention of his intellectual disability and the beatings he suffered—mitigating circumstances that could have changed the trial’s outcome.

   As a responsible bank, we take various risk-mitigating measures to protect the interests of our customers.

noun

1. the act or fact of lessening the force, severity, etc., of something.

   Seven organizations have agreed to contribute microsatellites dedicated to the monitoring and mitigating of man-made and natural disasters.

Other Word Forms

• nonmitigative, nonmitigatory adjective
• unmitigative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mitigating¹

First recorded in 1565–75; mitigat(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective; mitigat(e) ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun

Example Sentences

However, he concluded in his written decision that “these mitigating factors are outweighed by negative factors that bear on her risk for future dangerousness.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"Strengthening corridors and connectivity, restoring habitat, improving protection, and mitigating the impact of development projects are the need of the hour to ensure the well-being of these gentle giants," the report said.

Read more on Barron's

Vision and hearing services help prevent dementia and increase independent living, possibly by mitigating sensory deprivation, protecting cognitive energy and reducing social isolation.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But Sam Thomas, mitigating for Smith, argued there was "not a racist bone in his body" and that he had "no issue with people coming into this country fleeing persecution".

Read more on BBC

Paul Baker, mitigating, suggested Sharwarq was experiencing a "breakdown" brought on by the trauma of fleeing war in Syria in 2011.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• encouraging www.thesaurus.com
• reassuring 
• refreshing 
• soothing