1
as in average
being about midway between extremes of amount or size
he was awarded a modest pension when he retired
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pure
free from any trace of the coarse or indecent
tended to wear more modest swimsuits than the thong-clad guests at the resort
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in shy
not comfortable around people
a modest winner who said a quick thank-you and promptly left the stage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in humble
not having or showing any feelings of superiority, self-assertiveness, or showiness
appealingly modest about her success in the fashion industry
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of modest
In the Friday filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, GM also noted that most other corporate officers reported modest gains, excluding incoming or outgoing employees.
—
Jackie Charniga, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025
That gigantic gap was the source of outrage from fiscal hawks who feared getting steamrolled into accepting a final package with only modest cuts.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 12 Apr. 2025
The pieces commissioned by the British royal family are relatively modest, with fewer (but still rare) gemstones.
—Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
For decades, Washington lectured Beijing about avoiding protectionism, eliminating barriers to foreign investment, and disciplining the use of subsidies and industrial policy—with only modest success.
—Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for modest
Jackie Charniga, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025
That gigantic gap was the source of outrage from fiscal hawks who feared getting steamrolled into accepting a final package with only modest cuts.
—Emily Brooks, The Hill, 12 Apr. 2025
The pieces commissioned by the British royal family are relatively modest, with fewer (but still rare) gemstones.
—Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2025
For decades, Washington lectured Beijing about avoiding protectionism, eliminating barriers to foreign investment, and disciplining the use of subsidies and industrial policy—with only modest success.
—Michael B. G. Froman, Foreign Affairs, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for modest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modest
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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Booker seems like the top pure guard in this year's draft class, making his overall positional value lower.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
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Kiper calls him the best pure guard in the draft, a road-grader in the run game.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Justin’s 10 birdies Sunday were one shy of the Masters single-round record, held by Anthony Kim (second round in 2009).—
Justin Ray,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
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Our analysis looking at US Treasury data shows foreign investors owned just shy of $17 trillion of US stocks as of Q2 2024, which is the latest available information.—
Brendan Ahern,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Like a cat with nine lives, the building has undergone multiple renovations since its humble start as a savonnerie, or soap factory, in 1630.—
Travel + Leisure Editors,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2025
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But why has this humble $2.99 bag, ostensibly intended to carry produce, turned into such a status symbol?—
Stephanie McNeal,
Glamour,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The median sales price in the area is now $476,667, according to Zillow.—
Raisa Habersham,
Miami Herald,
18 Apr. 2025
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In Lisbon, median real estate sales prices soared 62% from 2018 to 2024.—
Meehika Barua,
HubSpot,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Despite the vulnerability of the first line of their press, the team’s ability to drop and press backwards is immaculate.—
Ahmed Walid,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
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The balance between vulnerability and the role of the DJ – bringing immaculate tunes and vibes – is a unique demand.—
Thomas Smith,
Billboard,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The withdrawn San Francisco drama, about lonely nonbinary nanny and restaurant server Cass (Asia Kate Dillon), is simple in its presentation, but disguises numerous layers to its story.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2025
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Jade and John told Dateline both had noticed their daughter was acting a bit withdrawn in the period leading up to her disappearance.—
Veronica Fulton,
NBC News,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Ahead of the clash with Bournemouth, Guardiola has said not even victory in the competition would salvage the poor showings in the Champions League and meek surrender of the Premier League title.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
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Episodes 5 and 6 inverted the relationship between abrasive eldest boy Saxon and the meek baby of the family, Lochlan.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
31 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Modest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modest. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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