To make something milder or softer, or to moderate its intensity is to?

• A. Alleviate
• B. Mitigate
• C. Reduce
• D. Calm

Answer: (B)

The term "mitigate" refers specifically to the action of making something less severe, serious, or painful. In the context of the question, it conveys the idea of moderating intensity or reducing harshness, which aligns perfectly with the notion of making something milder or softer.

For example, in legal or environmental contexts, to mitigate means to take steps to lessen the impact of an action or event, such as mitigating risks by implementing safety measures. This demonstrates a direct application of the concept of lessening severity, which reinforces why "mitigate" is the correct choice in this scenario.