Meaning of 'mitigate'

[Sajjad Qamar]

Common Errors in English, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #11 "Adjectives and Verbs", question 9

Those sorts of violent protest only help to mitigate against the very argument for peace that you are making.

(a) sorts
(b) violent
(c) mitigate
(d) making

Common Errors in English, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #11 "Adjectives and Verbs", answer 9

Those sorts of violent protest only help to militate against the very argument for peace that you are making.

Correct entry: militate
The error was: (c) mitigate
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what does mitigate mean

[Yankee]

Hi

Have a look here:
http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/mitigate?view=uk

Amy