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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of moderate
David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
There is a moderate risk of rip currents at all area beaches.
—Garfield Hylton, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Mar. 2025
Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025
Doing so would remove the progressive patina that may motivate the liberal base but repel moderates and independents.
—Matt Klink, Orange County Register, 19 Feb. 2025
Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
While home prices have risen nationally, the rate of increase has moderated compared to the double-digit growth observed during the pandemic years.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Adjective
Since last year, there has also been an increase in moderate earthquakes, seismologist Lucy Jones told the The Los Angeles Times.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
There is a moderate risk of rip currents at all area beaches.
—Garfield Hylton, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Mar. 2025
Noun
Senators raced ahead of the House as the lower chamber debated how to keep everyone from fiscal conservatives in the Freedom Caucus to moderates from swing districts happy.
—Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025
Doing so would remove the progressive patina that may motivate the liberal base but repel moderates and independents.
—Matt Klink, Orange County Register, 19 Feb. 2025
Verb
Despite the bumpy return to historically normal price increases, forecasters expected inflation to resume its descent the first half of this year as rent increases – the biggest inflation driver – continued to moderate.
—Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
While home prices have risen nationally, the rate of increase has moderated compared to the double-digit growth observed during the pandemic years.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moderate
Adjective
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Unlike the Antarctic of today, Late-Cretaceous Antarctica was warmer and wetter, with temperate weather and lush vegetation.—
Sam Walters,
Discover Magazine,
5 Feb. 2025
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The weather in Palermo is generally temperate in winter, with average highs around 50℉, but summers can be brutal, making a case for air-conditioning.—
Irene S. Levine,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Every detail aligned with the central motif of the rose—even the bag handles were accented with thorns.—
Kristen Bateman,
Vogue,
8 Mar. 2025
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While the narrative element is still central to her work, two decades of creative refinement have produced a highly sophisticated, sculptural style that echoes her work as an artist.—
Kate Matthams,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Trump's approval and disapproval ratings both currently stand at 48 percent, according to an average calculated by Newsweek.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
11 Mar. 2025
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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy recently claimed that controllers make $160,000 on average three years out of the academy.—
Alex Fitzpatrick,
Axios,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Tucker was later treated for mild concussion and has launched a lawsuit against Everett.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
Newsweek,
13 Mar. 2025
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Between the later evenings, milder breezes and prodigious quantities of mud, the oncoming Ides of March often promises hope (for most, at least) and a literally brighter world - all of which just means more daylight for reading, duh.—
Colin Dwyer,
NPR,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Starmer, a centrist, will be in Washington on Thursday, following Monday's White House visit by French President Emmanuel Macron.—
Fatima Al-Kassab,
NPR,
26 Feb. 2025
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The speaker had faced immense pressure from some on his right flank, which is typical for contentious bills, but also centrists — who typically back leadership on spending and governing issues.—
Rachel Schilke,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
New York Open Data showed that certain types of delays, such as those related to braking issues, rail and roadbed problems and service delivery, decreased on the A line from September to December.—
Nic F. Anderson,
CNN,
9 Mar. 2025
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The three main causes of hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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His restrained direction keeps the brothers in check and underpowered.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2025
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The statement, written by lawmakers who are typically more restrained in their comments given their sensitive roles on security issues, contained some of the party’s most pointed criticism yet of Mr. Trump and Mr. Musk just hours before the president was to address a joint session of Congress.—
Carl Hulse,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In 2017, the median home price in California was more than 2.5 times the national median, with coastal urban areas experiencing even higher prices.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
Newsweek,
13 Mar. 2025
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With the stock significantly off its highs and now trading closer to its historical median multiple, one analyst took a more bullish stance .—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
13 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Moderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moderate. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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