What is a term for lessening the seriousness or extent of something?

The term that refers to lessening the seriousness or extent of something is "palliate." This term specifically implies the act of reducing the severity of a situation without necessarily removing the cause. It is often used in contexts such as medicine, where palliating a condition means providing relief from symptoms without curing the underlying disease. This helps to frame the situation as more manageable, focusing on comfort and quality of life.

While "mitigate," "soften," and "alleviate" share some similarities, they have distinct nuances. "Mitigate" emphasizes reducing the intensity or impact of something harmful, often in a more legal or formal context. "Soften" generally refers to making something less harsh or severe, but it lacks the specific connotation of addressing seriousness. "Alleviate" focuses on lessening pain or discomfort but may not fully encompass broader implications of seriousness as "palliate" does. Thus, "palliate" is the most precise term for the context of lessening seriousness or extent.