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
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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
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3
as in average
being about midway between extremes of amount or size
a moderate snowfall was forecast for the region
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4
as in mild
marked by temperatures that are neither too high nor too low
a city that is celebrated for its moderate climate
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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
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as in to decrease
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
the wind began to moderate as the night wore on
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as in temperance
an avoidance of extremes in one's actions, beliefs, or habits
the kind of person who does everything in moderation
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of moderate
Aaron Gleeman, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Aim for 150 minutes of light to moderate activity each week, such as jogging or cycling.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 7 Apr. 2025
Will Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
Congressional Democrats and Republicans in swing districts like us go by many different Washington monikers: moderates, centrists, battlegrounders, etc.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Nerdwallet, Orange County Register, 4 Mar. 2025
And the fine print on all the bullish writeups for 2025 dutifully noted that post-election years often withhold their rewards in the early going and that equity returns after consecutive annual gains of 20% or more tend to moderate.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Adjective
Lewis is three weeks into his recovery for a moderate left hamstring strain, which typically carries a return timeline of at least six weeks.
—Aaron Gleeman, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Aim for 150 minutes of light to moderate activity each week, such as jogging or cycling.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
Nationally, conservatives have been gaining in numbers at the expense of liberals and moderates, according to our recent polling.
—Will Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
Congressional Democrats and Republicans in swing districts like us go by many different Washington monikers: moderates, centrists, battlegrounders, etc.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
Home prices appear to be moderating, too.
—Nerdwallet, Orange County Register, 4 Mar. 2025
And the fine print on all the bullish writeups for 2025 dutifully noted that post-election years often withhold their rewards in the early going and that equity returns after consecutive annual gains of 20% or more tend to moderate.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moderate
Adjective
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In fact, the more temperate weather can be the best time to snuggle up outside, sit by a fire pit, and enjoy a new piece of outdoor furniture.—
Shea Simmons,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Oct. 2024
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The temperate weather eliminates the need for expensive insulation, heating systems, and other winter-proofing measures typical of northern builds.—
Katherine McLaughlin,
Architectural Digest,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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That decision has become central to the defense’s latest motion to seek dismissal of the case.—
Andrea Tinianow,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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Müller’s central argument has been that populism should primarily be defined as a movement in which a leader claims to represent a silenced or forgotten—and almost always exclusionary—majority.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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With the average global tariff at approximately 18%, U.S. economic growth will slow to around 1% for the next several quarters, with inflation rising back to 5%, estimated Mark Dowding, BlueBay chief investment officer at RBC Global Asset Management.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2025
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O’Leary cited data that of the Top 100 movies each year, the top 20 movies all had an average window exclusive to theaters of 49 days, compared to just 31 days for the bottom 80 films.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Look at it as a mild upgrade with a Saturday draft pick.—
Jeff Howe,
The Athletic,
16 Mar. 2025
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The first three weeks of his hospitalization were marked by a roller coaster of setbacks, including respiratory crises, mild kidney failure and a severe coughing fit.—
Colleen Barry,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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And the over-all number of abortions in the U.S. may eventually decrease as a result of Dobbs.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
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On the other hand, just 5 percent said tariffs would decrease prices in the short term, and 30 percent said the policy would lower prices in the long term.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Clean lines, streamlined silhouettes, and restrained details result in impactful simplicity, which is exactly what a minimalist bride aspires for.—
Sarah Zendejas,
Vogue,
6 Apr. 2025
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Frank and vulnerable, her restrained vocal performance is the perfect pairing for Sundae Beats’ lush, ethereal soundscape.—
Christopher Claxton,
Billboard,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Case in point: this two-story container house is listed at Amazon for under $50,000, less than a quarter of the current median home price.—
Staff Author,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Apr. 2025
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Bear markets accompanied by recessions had a median duration of 528 calendar days and a market decline of 32.8 percent, the firm has found, using Dow Jones industrial average data since 1900.—
Jeff Sommer,
New York Times,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Momoa opted for softer style, wearing a suit in a gentle pink tone.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
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His video shows his grandmother and her dog, Gucci, through their daily moments together—gentle walks with the pup trotting along in a pink sweater; cuddles on the couch; and play.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Moderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moderate. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
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