mildern

Mildern is a German verb meaning to soften, moderate, or alleviate the severity or intensity of something. It is used to describe actions that reduce harshness, pain, or negative effects, as well as to lessen penalties, consequences, or conditions. Common objects include penalties, symptoms, consequences, or difficult situations.

Etymology and form: Mildern is formed from the adjective mild (milde) with the verb-forming suffix -ern, yielding a verb that expresses making something milder. The related noun Milderung denotes the act or result of mitigation, and phrases such as mildernde Umstände refer to mitigating circumstances. The verb is regular in its conjugation following standard patterns for -ern verbs, and it is widely understood in formal, legal, medical, and policy contexts.

Usage and contexts: In legal language, one can speak of die Strafe mildern (to mitigate the sentence) or von mildernden Umständen sprechen (to speak of mitigating factors). In medicine and public health, mildern is used for reducing symptoms or fever, for example Schmerzen mildern or Fieber mildern. In environmental or policy discussions, authorities aim to mildern negative Folgen or impacts. Milderung is the common noun form, while mildernd is the present participle used attributively to describe factors that lessen severity.

Notes: Mildern conveys a sense of partial relief or reduction rather than complete elimination. In everyday language, synonyms such as lindern, abschwächen, or erleichtern may be used depending on nuance and context.

See also: Milderung; mildernd; mild.