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Difficulty: MediumSynonyms and Words Nearest in Meaning

Read the sentence below and identify the word nearest in meaning to the highlighted term to complete the statement.

Answer:The environmental task force took immediate steps to mitigate the harmful effects of the industrial chemical spill on local water sources. In this context, a word nearest in meaning to 'mitigate' is 【alleviate】.

Answer

The word nearest in meaning to 'mitigate' in this context is 'alleviate' (or 'lessen' / 'reduce').
The verb 'mitigate' means to make something less severe, harmful, or painful. In the given context of managing an industrial chemical spill, taking steps to mitigate the damage means to alleviate or lessen its impact.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the target word in context
In the sentence, 'mitigate' refers to actions taken to make the harmful effects of a chemical spill less severe, intense, or painful.
Contextual meaning determines which synonym correctly captures the degree and intent of the action.
2
Identify exact contextual synonyms
Words such as 'alleviate', 'lessen', 'reduce', and 'ease' accurately convey making something bad less severe without implying total destruction or complete removal.
Synonyms must fit both the grammatical category (verb) and semantic nuance of reducing severity.

Key Concept

Synonyms and Words Nearest in Meaning
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Synonyms and Words Nearest in Meaning

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