WordWeb Online

1. Lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
   "The circumstances mitigate the crime"
   - extenuate, palliate
    
2. Make less severe or harsh
   "mitigating circumstances"

Derived forms: mitigating, mitigates, mitigated

See also: mitigable, mitigation, mitigative

Type of: apologise [Brit], apologize, decrease, excuse, justify, lessen, minify, rationalise [Brit], rationalize

Encyclopedia: Mitigate