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Mitigate vs Caution - What's the difference?

mitigate | caution |

In lang=en terms the difference between mitigate and caution

is that mitigate is to downplay while caution is to warn; to alert, advise that caution is warranted.

As verbs the difference between mitigate and caution

is that mitigate is to reduce, lessen, or decrease while caution is to warn; to alert, advise that caution is warranted.

As a noun caution is

precept or warning against evil or danger of any kind; exhortation to wariness; advice; injunction.

mitigate

English

Verb

(mitigat)
  • To reduce, lessen, or decrease.
  • * 1795
  • Measures are pursuing to prevent or mitigate the usual consequences of such outrages, and with the hope of their succeeding at least to avert general hostility.
  • * 1813
  • But in yielding to it the retaliation has been mitigated as much as possible, both in its extent and in its character...
  • * 1896
  • Then they tell us that vaccination will mitigate the disease that it will make it milder.
  • * 1901 — , ch 7
  • Then I discovered the brilliance of the landscape around was mitigated by blue spectacles.
  • * 1920
  • The plague had not been kind to him, yet had left him this small furry thing to mitigate his sorrow; and when one is very young, one can find great relief in the lively antics of a black kitten.
  • To downplay.
  • Synonyms

    * (to reduce or lessen) check, diminish, ease, lighten, mollify, pacify, palliate

    Antonyms

    * (to reduce or lessen) aggrandize, aggravate, exacerbate, incite, increase, intensify, irritate, worsen

    Coordinate terms

    * (l)

    caution

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Precept or warning against evil or danger of any kind; exhortation to wariness; advice; injunction.
  • * Shakespeare
  • In way of caution I must tell you.
  • A careful attention to the probable effects of an act, in order that failure or harm may be avoided; prudence in regard to danger; provident care; wariness.
  • Security; guaranty; bail.
  • * Clarendon
  • The Parliament would yet give his majesty sufficient caution that the war should be prosecuted.
  • One who gives rise to attention or astonishment.
  • Oh, that boy, he's a caution ! He does make me laugh.
  • A formal warning given as an alternative to prosecution in minor cases.
  • Synonyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    * err on the side of caution * throw caution to the wind

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To warn; to alert, advise that caution is warranted.
  • Anagrams

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