Question:medium

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

Show Hint

Exacerbate means to worsen, mitigate means to ease. Look for a pair with the same "worsen : ease" relationship in the same order.
Updated On: Jul 22, 2026
  • Aggravate : Alleviate
  • Alleviate : Precipitate
  • Aggravate : Precipitate
  • Emancipate : Exonerate
Show Solution

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
We are given a pair of words, exacerbate and mitigate, and we need to pick the option whose two words share the same meaning relationship in the same order.

Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
First pin down what each given word means on its own. Exacerbate means "to worsen a problem." Mitigate means "to reduce the severity of a problem." So the pattern to match is (word meaning worsen) : (word meaning ease/reduce).

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Check each option word by word against this pattern.
In option (A), aggravate means "to worsen," and alleviate means "to ease or reduce." This is exactly (worsen) : (ease), the same pattern as exacerbate : mitigate.
In option (B), alleviate means "to ease," which is the mitigate-type word, but it is placed first instead of second, and precipitate means "to bring on suddenly," not "to worsen." The pattern breaks in both position and meaning.
In option (C), aggravate fits the first slot, but precipitate does not mean "to ease," so the second slot fails.
In option (D), emancipate means "to free from control" and exonerate means "to clear of blame." Neither word relates to worsening or easing a problem, so this pair is unrelated to the given one.
Since only option (A) reproduces the same two meanings in the same order as the original pair, it is the answer.

Step 4: Final Answer:
The word pair "Aggravate : Alleviate" mirrors "Exacerbate : Mitigate" in both meaning and order, so the correct option is (A).
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