Question:medium

Exacerbate : Mitigate :: ___________
Choose the option with the correct pair of words to fill the blank.

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First fix the exact relationship between exacerbate and mitigate, then look for a pair with the same relationship.
Updated On: Jul 16, 2026
  • Aggravate : Alleviate
  • Alleviate : Precipitate
  • Aggravate : Precipitate
  • Emancipate : Exonerate
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Fix the meaning of the given pair.
$Exacerbate$ means to make a bad situation worse, while $mitigate$ means to make it less severe or intense. The relationship is direct opposites on a worse-versus-better scale.

Step 2: Check each option word by word.
$Aggravate$ also means to make worse, matching $exacerbate$, and $alleviate$ means to reduce the severity of something, matching $mitigate$. The other three options pair a worsen word with a word that does not mean ease (precipitate means to trigger suddenly, exonerate means to clear of blame).

Step 3: Confirm there is no closer match.
No other option keeps both halves of the worsen-versus-ease relationship intact, so aggravate and alleviate is the only pair that mirrors exacerbate and mitigate.

Final Answer:
The pair that repeats the same opposite-meaning relationship is aggravate and alleviate. \[ \boxed{\text{Aggravate : Alleviate}} \]
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