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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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of moderate
Alexandra Pastore, WWD, 24 Jan. 2025
There is a moderate risk for rip currents at area beaches.
—Garfield Hylton, Orlando Sentinel, 17 Jan. 2025
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
The election of 1976 was one of a number of times that a Democratic candidate has emerged with just the right balance of rhetoric and policy promises, uniting just enough white Southern progressives and white moderates in a successful coalition with Black and other minority voters.
—Richard Fausset, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
Since Reddit is a platform moderated by volunteer users, Redditors will continue to seek control and have much say over how conversations flow on their favorite subreddits.
—Ars Technica, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for moderate 
Adjective
In terms of investing in technology for efficiencies, retail executives told Deloitte that plans were moderate to major and aimed to optimize costs rather than cut them.
—Alexandra Pastore, WWD, 24 Jan. 2025
There is a moderate risk for rip currents at area beaches.
—Garfield Hylton, Orlando Sentinel, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
The vote reflects the complexities of navigating such a small majority for the GOP, as leadership aims to placate the party's most conservative members as well as moderates representing competitive districts.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
The election of 1976 was one of a number of times that a Democratic candidate has emerged with just the right balance of rhetoric and policy promises, uniting just enough white Southern progressives and white moderates in a successful coalition with Black and other minority voters.
—Richard Fausset, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Verb
Next followed a panel moderated by Newsweek Vantage's Research Director Lucy Hurst.
—Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
Since Reddit is a platform moderated by volunteer users, Redditors will continue to seek control and have much say over how conversations flow on their favorite subreddits.
—Ars Technica, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for moderate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moderate
Adjective
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This colder-than-average spell is notable given Washington's relatively temperate winters in recent years.—
Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell,
Newsweek,
15 Jan. 2025
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These are characterized by temperate deciduous forest species such as tulip trees, oaks, and hickories.—
Erica Zazo,
Outside Online,
9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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This dignity and destiny were central to Garvey’s message, which called for the global empowerment of African descendants.—
Melissa Noel,
Essence,
19 Jan. 2025
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In Deir al Balah, a city in central Gaza, cars honked their horns and loud music blared from coffee shops.—
Christina Goldbaum,
New York Times,
19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Those ratings create an estimate of how many goals each team is expected to score and allow in a game against an average opponent at a neutral site.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
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More than 25 million people are under winter weather alerts from Florida to Virginia today — all while much of the central and eastern US face temperatures running 20-30 degrees below average.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Even if this weekend’s storms, which are predicted to be mild, bring an inch of rain, January would be the fifth driest since record keeping began in 1896, Anderson said.—
Hailey Branson-Potts,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Jan. 2025
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Holcomb is not bound by these recommendations and can impose a harsher or milder punishment.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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These tremendous reductions have been linked to fewer respiratory illnesses, decreased hospital visits, and ultimately, lives saved and reducing climate impacts.—
Margo T. Oge,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
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Range within the city is only around 120 miles (193 km) while cruising around on the freeway will decrease that number further to 71 miles (114 km).—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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In this case, the Mechanical Watch Box goes for restrained elegance.—
David Szondy,
New Atlas,
22 Jan. 2025
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But four years later, after the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 had driven the president's approval rating to record highs and fueled a win in the popular vote as well as the Electoral College, the atmosphere was more restrained.—
Ron Elving,
NPR,
18 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, prices on homes that did sell have been very high, as more sales at the high end of the market nudged median prices higher.—
Laurel Wamsley,
NPR,
24 Jan. 2025
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The median price of an existing home, meanwhile, has climbed for 18 months straight, reaching a record high of $407,500 in 2024.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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With the belief that skincare should be gentle, effective, and safe for everyone, every product is crafted with care, using natural and organic ingredients that are sustainably sourced.—
Hilary Tetenbaum,
USA TODAY,
29 Jan. 2025
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Made of smooth vegan satin, the pillowcase is designed to be gentle on hair and skin.—
Isabel Garcia,
People.com,
29 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near moderate
Cite this Entry
“Moderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moderate. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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