Understanding 'Abated' in Context
The sentence states that the oppressive pollution was noticed to have abated after the unseasonal rainfall. This means the pollution lessened or became less intense.
The task is to find the word closest in meaning (synonym) to the underlined word, abated.
Analyzing Word Meanings
- mitigated: To make something less severe, serious, or painful.
- enhanced: To intensify or increase.
- discontinued: To stop something completely.
- suppressed: To forcibly put an end to something.
Choosing the Best Synonym
Comparing the options with abated in the context of pollution reducing:
- Mitigated directly implies a reduction in severity, fitting the context well.
- Enhanced is the opposite meaning.
- Discontinued suggests a complete stop, which might not be what "abated" means (it often implies a reduction rather than elimination).
- Suppressed implies an active, forceful stopping, which doesn't fit the natural effect of rainfall on pollution.
Therefore, mitigated is the most suitable word that is nearest in meaning to abated.