Which term means to make less harsh or intense; to alleviate?

• A. Enforce
• B. Magnify
• C. Mitigate
• D. Exacerbate

Answer: (C)

Mitigate means to make something less harsh or intense, to alleviate. In safety and fire-protection contexts, to mitigate a hazard is to reduce the risk or severity of harm by applying measures such as engineering controls, safer procedures, training, or protective equipment. For example, adding automatic sprinklers or improving ventilation helps lessen the potential damage if a fire occurs.

Enforce is about compelling compliance with rules, not reducing harm. Magnify means to make something larger or more intense, the opposite of reducing harm. Exacerbate means to worsen conditions or outcomes, also opposite to mitigation.