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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of moderate
Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 15 Jan. 2025
Transgender school sports: House Republicans, with help from two moderate Democrats from Texas, approved a bill Tuesday that would restrict the rights of transgender Americans, specifically transgender student athletes who seek to compete in girls’ sports.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 15 Jan. 2025
Stephen Neukam, Axios, 12 Dec. 2024
Trump’s uncompromising approach and refusal to broker dissent within his party has driven away moderates, leading most of the party’s top leaders to adopt MAGA populism.
—David Jackson, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
Cecilia Kang, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Rent increases, another headache for small businesses, also have moderated to 6% annually in November from 11% in July and 20% in early 2023, Bank of America figures show.
—Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for moderate 
Adjective
Additional dietary strategies in preventing kidney stones include limiting sodium intake, eating moderate amounts of protein, and avoiding vitamin C supplements.
—Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 15 Jan. 2025
Transgender school sports: House Republicans, with help from two moderate Democrats from Texas, approved a bill Tuesday that would restrict the rights of transgender Americans, specifically transgender student athletes who seek to compete in girls’ sports.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 15 Jan. 2025
Noun
The big picture: Jayapal and other progressives have argued the party should stop running to the center in general elections to better appeal to moderates and progressives.
—Stephen Neukam, Axios, 12 Dec. 2024
Trump’s uncompromising approach and refusal to broker dissent within his party has driven away moderates, leading most of the party’s top leaders to adopt MAGA populism.
—David Jackson, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
But tech policy experts said the threats of action could be enough to deter social media sites from heavily moderating content.
—Cecilia Kang, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Rent increases, another headache for small businesses, also have moderated to 6% annually in November from 11% in July and 20% in early 2023, Bank of America figures show.
—Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for moderate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moderate
Adjective
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Nestled in the country’s southwest, Yunnan was known for its fertile valleys and temperate climate, ideal for growing rice and other staple crops.Scott Travers, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
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The fact that Spain is situated on a peninsula has blessed the country with a historically temperate climate.Umair Irfan, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
Adjective
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In between the longer shoulder buttons along the Joy-Con's inner edge (SL and SR) and a new central connector port, eagle-eyed viewers noticed what looks suspiciously like the optical sensor that sits on the bottom of practically every mouse these days.Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 7 Jan. 2025
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Both Premier League stars are capable of playing as a central target man but are most comfortable on the left wing.Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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To the average person, appreciating the elements that crowned Super Mario 64 a groundbreaking game back in 1996 requires at least some wandering around its world.Patricia Hernandez, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2025
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Cats have an average body temperature of around 100-102 degrees Fahrenheit, a little higher than ours, which is approximately 98.6 Fahrenheit.Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Shocking your taste buds with an electric salt spoon Kirin Holdings has unveiled an innovative electric salt spoon that uses a mild electrical current to enhance food flavor without adding sodium.Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 12 Jan. 2025
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Here’s How to Tell Chia seeds should have a mild, nutty aroma.Annie Peterson, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Revenues grew three times faster, sales costs decreased by 50% and customer service costs dropped by 80%.Daniel Khachab, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
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By Friday, winds decrease as chances for a second round of snow increase.Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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But Judge Declines to Impose Punishment General News How the L.A. Wildfires Are Becoming a Conspiracy-Theorists' Haven -- and a Political Weapon Locals long have prized Palm Beach for its restrained serenity.Beth Landman, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Jan. 2025
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On the other hand, every action, inaction and reaction remains uncannily familiar, making Chowdhury’s restrained approach feel like the right one.Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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What To Know The median monthly housing payment hit a record of $2,920 in 2024, rising 4.3 percent from 2023 and 86 percent from 2019, according to .Robert Thorpe, Newsweek, 11 Jan. 2025
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That’s the median home price in the Pacific Palisades, according to Redfin.Ty Roush, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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As such, retinol rookies may consider starting with a gentler formulation like this one, which is also fragrance-free.Jenny Berg, Vogue, 18 Jan. 2025
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Nurse and aesthetician Natalie Aguilar, co-founder of N4 Skincare, recommends paring down your skincare regimen to the gentlest products in your regimen that your skin is known to tolerate.Jessica Ourisman, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near moderate
Cite this Entry
“Moderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moderate. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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