I`m totally agree with cowboy ;) just want to add: To mitigate (if used with an object) to make less severe: to mitigate a punishment.    to make (a person, one's state of mind, disposition, etc.) milder or more gentle; mollify. (if used without object) - to become milder; lessen in severity. Origin: late ME mitigaten - mīt(is) mild, soft, gentle + agere -to do, cause to do, make) + -ātus= -ate Note: Не путать с militate (to have effect or influence) ! Good luck ;)

Yes, so "reduce" is a general term, which can apply to any condition or circumstance. You can reduce the temperature, the weight, the sweetness, the bitterness, the ammount of liquid, the ammount of light, etc. But "mitigate" is to specifically reduce the intensity, harshness or seriousness of something. "Reduce" is part of the definition of "mitigate", but "mitigate is Not part of the definition of "reduce".

Reduce 1.Cut down on; make a reduction in "reduce your daily fat intake" 2..Make less complex "reduce a problem to a single question" 3.Bring to humbler or weaker state or condition "He reduced the population to slavery" 4.Simplify the form of a mathematical equation of expression by substituting one term for another 5.Lower in grade or rank or force somebody into an undignified situation "She reduced her niece to a servant" 6.Be the essential element 7.Reduce in size; reduce physically 8.Lessen and make more modest "reduce one's standard of living" 9.Make smaller "reduce an image" 10.To remove oxygen from a compound, or cause to react with hydrogen or form a hydride, or to undergo an increase in the number of electrons Mitigate 1.Lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of 2.Make less severe or harsh "mitigating circumstances" cowboy...

Hello They both share the quality of lessening something , yet "reduce" is more general for its lessening both quantitative and qualitative aspects of something ,whereas "mitigate " indicates lessening only qualitative abstract features of a negative nature such as making things less painful ,less serious or unpleasant.