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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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
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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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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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Spanish canals operated in a temperate climate and were managed by individual farmers who could maintain or increase their water flow.—
Ari Caramanica,
The Conversation,
8 Apr. 2025
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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
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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The experts predict the economy will nearly stall in 2025, growing 0.8%, down from their projection of 1.7% just last month, according to the average estimate of 46 economists surveyed by Wolters Kluwer Blue Chip Economic Indicators on April 4 and April 7.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2025
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Oregon’s Josh Conerly Jr. — Conerly has all the physical components to become a reliable starting offensive lineman, but his ability to anchor against power is slightly below average.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
14 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
Noun
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Swalwell, a centrist compared with many in California’s congressional delegation, earned the enduring enmity of the president and his followers during the first Trump administration, when the congressman was a constant presence and unrelenting critic on social media and the cable TV circuit.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2025
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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
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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
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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
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
Cite this Entry
“Moderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moderate. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
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