Definition of "mitigating" []

• Present participle of mitigate. (verb)
• That serves to mitigate (adjective)

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• "BEHAR: I know but I worry about the defense coming up with what they call mitigating circumstances."
• "They, in turn, will lay out what they call mitigating factors against death penalty."
• "HILLAH KATZ, TRIAL ATTORNEY: Well, it ` s the best defense that actually they probably may have, because, Nancy, the truth of the matter is, when we look at aggravating offenses, which the state will present for the purpose of the death penalty, the defense counsel for Mr. Inman better have very good what we call mitigating factors, really good reasons why this man does not deserve either electrocution or a lethal injection."