1. to make something less severe, strict, or harsh; to lessen the intensity or harshness of something
The judge decided to reduce the severity of the sentence.
O juiz decidiu reduzir a severidade da sentença.
2. to decrease the seriousness or gravity of a situation, condition, or punishment
The medication helped reduce the severity of the symptoms.
O medicamento ajudou a reduzir a severidade dos sintomas.