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mitigation

mit-ih-GAY-shun /ˌmɪtɪˈɡeɪʃn/

nounB2GREGMATIELTSUPSC

policylegalscientific

The action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something, particularly a disaster or environmental impact.

Mitigation is proactive; it happens before or during an event to lessen the blow, whereas adaptation is adjusting to the new reality.

The story behind the word. Derived from the Latin 'mitis' (soft/mild) and 'agere' (to do/make). It literally means 'to make mild'. Historically, it was used in legal contexts to describe 'mitigating circumstances' that might make a crime seem less severe.

Word relationships

alleviation: Usually refers to making a current pain or problem lighter, while mitigation often refers to future risks.
moderation: The process of making something less extreme or intense.

aggravation: The process of making a problem or injury worse.
exacerbation: Making a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse.

Commonly confused with

adaptation: Mitigation seeks to stop the cause of the problem; adaptation seeks to live with the consequences.

Word family

mitigate (verb): To make something less severe, serious, or painful.
mitigator (noun): A person or thing that reduces the severity of something.

Collocations

mitigation strategy
risk mitigation
mitigation measures
impact mitigation

Example sentences

"Climate change mitigation consists of actions to limit the magnitude or rate of long-term climate change." Climate Policy (IPCC Fifth Assessment Report, 2014)
"The construction of the sea wall was a key part of the flood mitigation strategy for the coastal village." Risk Management

Memory hook

Think of a 'mitt' (glove) catching a hard baseball; the glove mitigates the impact so your hand doesn't get hurt. Mitigation makes the impact 'mild'.

When not to use

Do not confuse with 'litigation' (legal action) or 'migration' (moving).

Fun facts

In the legal world, 'mitigating factors' can lead to a reduced sentence for a defendant.
The term is a cornerstone of the 'Mitigation Hierarchy' in conservation: Avoid, Minimize, Restore, Offset.