Question:medium
Exacerbate : Mitigate :: __________
Choose the option with the correct pair of words to fill the blank.
Exacerbate : Mitigate :: __________
Choose the option with the correct pair of words to fill the blank.
Choose the option with the correct pair of words to fill the blank.
Show Hint
Work out what relationship "worsen" and "lessen" describes, then look for the option where both words carry that same sense.
Updated On: Jul 21, 2026
- Aggravate : Alleviate
- Alleviate : Precipitate
- Aggravate : Precipitate
- Emancipate : Exonerate
Show Solution
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Understanding the Question:
We need a pair of words that fits into the blank so it has the same link as "Exacerbate : Mitigate".
Key Formula or Approach:
Find what "Exacerbate" and "Mitigate" mean on their own, write down the link between them in plain words, then test each option against that same link.
"Exacerbate" = to make something worse.
"Mitigate" = to make something less severe.
So the link is: word 1 means "worsen", word 2 means "lessen".
Detailed Explanation:
Option (A) Aggravate : Alleviate. "Aggravate" = worsen, "Alleviate" = lessen. This keeps the same link.
Option (B) Alleviate : Precipitate. "Alleviate" = lessen, which is already the wrong sense for word 1 (should be worsen). Fails at the first word itself.
Option (C) Aggravate : Precipitate. Word 1 is fine ("Aggravate" = worsen), but "Precipitate" means to bring on an event fast, not to lessen anything. Fails at the second word.
Option (D) Emancipate : Exonerate. Both words mean "to free or clear from something", so this pair means nearly the same thing on both sides, not a worsen and lessen pair at all.
Since only option (A) keeps both halves of the worsen-to-lessen link, it is the one that matches.
Final Answer:
The correct pair is Aggravate : Alleviate. \[ \boxed{\text{Aggravate : Alleviate}} \]
We need a pair of words that fits into the blank so it has the same link as "Exacerbate : Mitigate".
Key Formula or Approach:
Find what "Exacerbate" and "Mitigate" mean on their own, write down the link between them in plain words, then test each option against that same link.
"Exacerbate" = to make something worse.
"Mitigate" = to make something less severe.
So the link is: word 1 means "worsen", word 2 means "lessen".
Detailed Explanation:
Option (A) Aggravate : Alleviate. "Aggravate" = worsen, "Alleviate" = lessen. This keeps the same link.
Option (B) Alleviate : Precipitate. "Alleviate" = lessen, which is already the wrong sense for word 1 (should be worsen). Fails at the first word itself.
Option (C) Aggravate : Precipitate. Word 1 is fine ("Aggravate" = worsen), but "Precipitate" means to bring on an event fast, not to lessen anything. Fails at the second word.
Option (D) Emancipate : Exonerate. Both words mean "to free or clear from something", so this pair means nearly the same thing on both sides, not a worsen and lessen pair at all.
Since only option (A) keeps both halves of the worsen-to-lessen link, it is the one that matches.
Final Answer:
The correct pair is Aggravate : Alleviate. \[ \boxed{\text{Aggravate : Alleviate}} \]
Was this answer helpful?
0
Top Questions on Verbal Reasoning
- If 'WATER' is coded as 'YCVGT', how will 'FIRE' be coded in that language?
- Karnataka PGCET - 2026
- Logical Reasoning
- Verbal Reasoning
- It is desirable to be able to distinguish between strong arguments and weak arguments. Strong arguments are those which are both important and directly related to the question. Weak arguments are those which are of minor importance and also may not be directly related to the question or may be related to trivial aspects of the question. The Statement below is followed by two arguments numbered I and II. You have to decide which of the arguments is a strong argument and which is a weak argument.
Statement: Should larger the sample size minimize the experimental error?
Arguments: I. Yes, this is one of the ways to improve the efficiency of the estimator. II. No, sample size is not at all a matter.- Karnataka PGCET - 2026
- Logical Reasoning
- Verbal Reasoning
- Which is NOT an advantage of writing Business letter?
- Karnataka PGCET - 2026
- General Aptitude
- Verbal Reasoning
- In a game, a "word" is any combination of at least five letters of the English alphabet (the word does not have to have a meaning). A "sentence" in this game consists of exactly six such words, and it must satisfy all of the following rules:
1. The six words are written from left to right on a single line, in strictly increasing alphabetical order.
2. The sentence may start with any word. Each successive word is obtained from the word right before it by applying exactly ONE of three operations: deleting one letter, adding one letter, or replacing one letter with another letter.
3. At most three of the six words can begin with the same letter.
4. Apart from the first word, every word must be formed using an operation different from the one used to form the word immediately before it (so the same operation can never be used twice in a row).
Which one of the following could be a sentence in the word game?- XAT - 2008
- Decision Making
- Verbal Reasoning
- Want to practice more? Try solving extra ecology questions todayView All Questions
Questions Asked in GATE MA exam
Consider an art gallery whose walkways are shown as lines in the diagram. A black dot represents a junction of two walkways. A guard may be placed at a junction to watch over the walkways that join at that junction. The minimum number of guards needed to watch all the walkways is ________. 
- GATE MA - 2026
- Logical Reasoning