mitigation

noun

mit·​i·​ga·​tion ˌmi-tə-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce mitigation (audio)
plural mitigations
Synonyms of mitigation
: the act of mitigating something or the state of being mitigated : the process or result of making something less severe, dangerous, painful, harsh, extensive, or damaging
mitigation of suffering
mitigation of punishment
There was, in sum, a period during the Cold War … when a mitigation of the Cold War, including a renegotiation of some of its most troublesome tensions, was possible or even probable.—John Lukacs

Examples of mitigation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In mitigation, club sources point to the context of Johnson’s signing, alongside that of Jorgen Strand Larsen, at a time when Glasner’s disenchantment was spiralling. — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026 And mitigation depends on private homeowners and pest control companies. — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 3 Sep. 2026 Poppe said the company was putting off $2 billion in work — not for wildfire mitigation or safety, but for housing developments, renewable energy projects and other efforts. — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026 Plus, sound mitigation sometimes entails costly build-outs or renovations. — Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mitigation

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mitigation was in the 14th century

Rhymes for mitigation

See All Rhymes for mitigation

Browse Nearby Words

mitigatedly
mitigation
mitigative
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Cite this Entry

“Mitigation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mitigation. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Medical Definition

mitigation

noun
mit·​i·​ga·​tion ˌmit-ə-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce mitigation (audio)
1
: the act of mitigating or state of being mitigated
the cure, prevention, or mitigation of disease—Encyclopedia Americana
2
: something that mitigates
a large number of drugs and mitigations … at the clinic—The Journal of the American Medical Association

More from Merriam-Webster on mitigation

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