Word choice: animate, mollify or mitigate
I have made up the two similar examples below.
(1) Bob doesn't smile much. However, my sense of humor always animates his serious attitude.
(2) Bob doesn't smile much. However, my sense of humor always mollifies his serious attitude.
(3) Bob doesn't smile much. However, my sense of humor always mitigates his serious attitude.
I am not sure which word choice in bold best fits the context. Please help me. Thank you very much for your feedback.
Top answer
All of your choices are literary. They are rarely used in ordinary, everyday conversation. (1) doesn't work well.
- All of your choices are literary.
- They are rarely used in ordinary, everyday conversation.
- (1) doesn't work well.
- (2) and (3) seem remotely possible.
- Better (non-literary) possibilities: My sense of humor always cheers him up.
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All of your choices are literary. They are rarely used in ordinary, everyday conversation.
(1) doesn't work well. (2) and (3) seem remotely possible.
Better (non-literary) possibilities:
My sense of humor always cheers him up.
My sense of humor always raises his spirits.
My sense of humor always brightens his mood.
CJ
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