mitigate

动词 mitigate:

1. lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
   同义词：extenuate, palliate
2. make less severe or harsh

1. The judge said that nothing could mitigate the cruelty with which the stepmother had treated the girl.
   法官说没有任何理由可以把那个继母残忍虐待女孩的罪责减轻。
2. The judge said that nothing could mitigate the cruelty with which the mother had treated her child.
   法官说没有任何理由可以把那个母亲残忍虐待孩子的罪责减轻。
3. Her words mitigated my suffering.
   她的话减轻了我的痛苦。
4. The government is trying to mitigate the effects of inflation.
   政府正试图缓和通货膨胀的影响。

mit.i.gate

v.（动词）
mit.i.gat.ed,mit.i.gat.ing,mit.i.gates
v.tr.（及物动词）
To moderate (a quality or condition) in force or intensity; alleviate.See Synonyms at relieve
使减轻：在力量或强度上减轻（一种性质或条件）；缓和参见 relieve
v.intr.（不及物动词）
To become milder.
变得更柔和

来源：
Middle English mitigaten
中古英语 mitigaten
from Latin motig3re motig3t-
源自 拉丁语 motig3re motig3t-
motis [soft]
motis [柔软的]
agere [to drive, do] * see act
agere [推动，做] *参见 act

【引伸】
mit.igable
mit.iga.tion
n.（名词）
mit.iga.tive 或
mit.igato.ry
mit.iga.tor
n.（名词）