mitigate | alleviate | relieve

What are the differences

Posted by Eirik on 28 Feb, 2024

“Mitigate,” “alleviate,” 和 “relieve” 這三個詞都意指減輕或解決問題、困難或痛苦,但它們在用法上有些微的差異。

Mitigate:通常指採取行動來減輕或降低某種不利狀況、風險或影響。它強調的是減輕某種不良影響的程度,常用於描述對問題的直接解決方法或降低其嚴重性。

  • Government measures were implemented to mitigate the impact of the economic downturn. (政府採取措施來減輕經濟衰退的影響。)
  • Planting trees can help mitigate climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. (種植樹木可以幫助減緩氣候變化,通過吸收大氣中的二氧化碳。)

Alleviate:強調減輕痛苦、困擾或不適的程度。這個詞更侧重於使症狀或不適感減少或消失。

  • The medication helped alleviate her pain. (藥物有助於減輕她的疼痛。)
  • Charitable organizations work to alleviate poverty in developing countries. (慈善組織致力於減輕發展中國家的貧困。)

Relieve:指提供暫時或短期的解脫,從而減輕壓力、痛苦或不適。這個詞通常與短暫的舒緩、解除或釋放有關聯。

  • Taking a vacation can relieve stress and improve mental well-being. (度假可以減輕壓力,改善心理健康。)
  • Painkillers can temporarily relieve headache symptoms. (止痛藥可以暫時緩解頭痛症狀。)

雖然這些詞在某些情況下可以互換使用,但它們在用法上有些微的差異,可以根據具體的情境和語境來選擇使用哪個詞。


“Mitigate,” “alleviate,” and “relieve” all mean to lessen or resolve problems, difficulties, or suffering, but they have subtle differences in usage.

Mitigate: Typically refers to taking action to reduce or diminish adverse conditions, risks, or impacts. It emphasizes reducing the severity of something negative and is often used to describe direct solutions to problems or reducing their seriousness.

  • Government measures were implemented to mitigate the impact of the economic downturn.
  • Planting trees can help mitigate climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Alleviate: Emphasizes reducing the degree of pain, distress, or discomfort. This term focuses more on reducing or eliminating symptoms or discomfort.

  • The medication helped alleviate her pain.
  • Charitable organizations work to alleviate poverty in developing countries.

Relieve: Refers to providing temporary or short-term relief to reduce stress, pain, or discomfort. This term is often associated with temporary easing, releasing, or alleviating.

  • Taking a vacation can relieve stress and improve mental well-being.
  • Painkillers can temporarily relieve headache symptoms.

Although these words can sometimes be used interchangeably, they have subtle differences in usage, and the choice of which word to use depends on the specific context and circumstances.