1
as in temperate
avoiding extremes in behavior or expression
he was only a moderate drinker, generally stopping after a couple of glasses of wine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in central
avoiding major social change or extreme political ideas
the principal's moderate position on cell phones is that students can use them at school but only for emergencies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in average
being about midway between extremes of amount or size
a moderate snowfall was forecast for the region
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in mild
marked by temperatures that are neither too high nor too low
a city that is celebrated for its moderate climate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in centrist
a person who holds moderate views
to the community's detriment, moderates were often shouted down at town meetings by the local hotheads
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to decrease
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
the wind began to moderate as the night wore on
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in temperance
an avoidance of extremes in one's actions, beliefs, or habits
the kind of person who does everything in moderation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of moderate
Clara Migoya, AZCentral.com, 12 July 2025
Because of the fires, moderate to heavy smoke is expected to linger in southwest Colorado, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 11 July 2025
Erin Doherty,christina Wilkie, CNBC, 2 July 2025
Both Senate and House moderates have argued that the House bill goes too far in its repeal of the Biden-era tax credits for climate-friendly energy sources.
—Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 17 June 2025
Dominique Fluker, Essence, 4 July 2025
The rotation has already moderated a bit since the early afternoon.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Adjective
Ticks thrive in brushy or wooded areas with moderate temperatures and some humidity.
—Clara Migoya, AZCentral.com, 12 July 2025
Because of the fires, moderate to heavy smoke is expected to linger in southwest Colorado, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 11 July 2025
Noun
Both moderates and conservative hardliners are demanding changes to a Senate version of the bill.
—Erin Doherty,christina Wilkie, CNBC, 2 July 2025
Both Senate and House moderates have argued that the House bill goes too far in its repeal of the Biden-era tax credits for climate-friendly energy sources.
—Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 17 June 2025
Verb
During the panel, moderated by Nina Oduro the pair expressed the importance of being in one-self to get to the next level, in career, business, and personal life, as well, as ulitaizing their intuition.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 4 July 2025
The rotation has already moderated a bit since the early afternoon.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moderate
Adjective
-
Located on the North Island near the Manawatū River, Palmerston (Palmy, colloquially) is representative of many cities around the world, with a largely temperate climate and a population of around 91,000 residents.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
7 May 2025
-
Today, these ants primarily live in undisturbed and temperate eastern North American forests.—
Lauren Thomann,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
Back to school is almost here: Some central Indiana schools go back to school in two weeks.—
Caroline Beck,
IndyStar,
15 July 2025
-
While the business portal is a central hub for searching cases, not all records are immediately available there, especially development cases that are still making their way through review by city commissions or the Metro Council.—
Matthew Glowicki,
The Courier-Journal,
15 July 2025
Adjective
-
According to Baseball Savant, his average fastball of 92.4 mph is in just the 21st percentile of pitchers in the game, but his fastball’s run value is in the 89th percentile.—
C. Trent Rosecrans,
New York Times,
9 July 2025
-
The average rate of failure on these inspections was 13%, according to Mayes.—
Jose R. Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
Country Music Hall of Famer Ray Stevens, 86, underwent successful heart surgery after a mild heart attack.—
Marcus K. Dowling,
The Tennessean,
11 July 2025
-
Possible side effects of the vaccine, which the CDC says are usually mild, include soreness, redness or swelling; fever; mild rash; and temporary pain and stiffness in the joints.—
Jenny Porter Tilley,
IndyStar,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
Following Monday's trade, Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust will own 220 shares of GS, decreasing its weighting to about 4.35% from about 4.75%.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
7 July 2025
-
The recent data represents a downward trend as COVID-19 cases and deaths have decreased statewide into early summer, the state dashboard shows.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
These moves have prompted concern among segments of Trump's base supportive of a restrained international role, raising questions about the administration's direction ahead of a crucial 2026 midterm election cycle.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
-
As Rick, Goggins got to show longtime fans and incoming members of his fan club a rarer side of the actor: quiet, restrained, in deep amounts of unspoken pain.—
Josh Wigler,
HollywoodReporter,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
New Canaan, where the median annual household income is $163,355, was granted a moratorium earlier this year that temporarily exempts it from lawsuits under 8-30g.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
11 July 2025
-
City documents show 71% of the units are required to be rented at 50% of the county's median income, 20% of the units are priced at 60% of the CMI, and the remaining 9% are set at market rate.—
Liliana Fannin,
jsonline.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
The shelter posted the video hoping someone might see past Iris's fear and recognize the gentle dog underneath.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
-
But the show has also increasingly thrived on the odd-couple chemistry between co-creator Downs, who plays Hollywood’s gentlest manager, and breakout star Stalter as his assistant turned partner.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Moderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moderate. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share