To "mitigate" means to:

To "mitigate" means to reduce the severity of a circumstance. This term is often used in contexts where harmful effects or risks need to be decreased or alleviated. For example, in environmental science, efforts might be made to mitigate climate change effects by implementing practices that lessen greenhouse gas emissions. Similarly, in risk management, strategies are developed to mitigate potential threats.

The core of the definition focuses on making a situation less severe or serious rather than improving it significantly (which would align more with enhancement), overlooking the issue altogether, or attempting to justify negative conditions. Thus, understanding "mitigate" centers on the action of lessening negative impacts rather than ignoring or excusing them.