Usage Note
Atténuer is the standard verb for reducing the intensity of something — pain, criticism, a sentence — and appears in legal, medical, and everyday contexts alike. Des circonstances atténuantes ('mitigating circumstances') is a fixed legal phrase every learner should know. The reflexive s'atténuer means 'to fade' or 'to ease off'.
Examples
"Ce médicament atténue la douleur."
Natural Translation
This medication lessens the pain.
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