Read the passage below:
In his 1928 critique of early industrial architecture, historian Walter Finch challenged the prevailing view that iron-framed construction was inherently utilitarian and devoid of aesthetic intent. While admitting that functional efficiency governed structural choices in early textile mills, Finch contended that contemporary critics failed to appreciate how master builders attempted to temper the harsh austerity of exposed metal through subtle classical embellishments. By incorporating cast-iron classical capitals and decorative brackets, these builders sought not to conceal the industrial nature of the materials, but to soften their visual impact. Consequently, Finch asserted that early industrial design represented a deliberate synthesis of utility and ornament rather than a triumph of pure engineering over artistic tradition.
In the context of the passage, which word most nearly means 'temper'?
Answer: moderate / soften / mitigate / tone down / balance