The verb mitigate means to make something less unpleasant, serious, or painful.
Synonyms are diminish, alleviate, reduce, or relieve.
The word origins from Latin (early 15th century) mitigatus, past participle of mitigare meaning “soften, make tender, ripen, mellow, tame”, figuratively, “make mild or gentle, pacify, soothe”. It is derived out of its assimilated form of mitis meaning “gentle, soft” plus root of agree meaning “to do, perform”.
We must put all our efforts to mitigate the effects of global warming.
She covered her nose with a handkerchief to mitigate the stench.
They offered no clear solutions to mitigate the effects of water pollution.