The word "mitigate" means to make something less severe, serious, or painful. When we look for an antonym, we are searching for a word that has the opposite meaning, which would be to make something more severe or intense.
- Intensify: This word means to make more intense or severe, which is the opposite of "mitigate." Therefore, "intensify" is the correct answer.
- Lessen: This word means to reduce in extent, amount, or degree, which is synonymous with "mitigate," not its opposite.
- Avoid: This refers to keeping away from or stopping oneself from doing something. It is not directly related to severity or intensity, thus not a direct antonym of "mitigate."
- Settle: This means to resolve or reach an agreement or decision about something. It is related to resolving conflict, which is not directly opposite to mitigating.
Based on this analysis, the word that is opposite in meaning to "mitigate" is "intensify."