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
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3
as in shy
not comfortable around people
a modest winner who said a quick thank-you and promptly left the stage
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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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Tide Sandal Your average flip flops certainly don’t have the arch support of these stylish sandals, designed with Vionic’s exclusive alignment technology.—
Mia Huelsbeck,
People.com,
4 Apr. 2025
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That would translate into an average loss of $3,800 in purchasing power per household based on 2024 dollars.—
Tony Romm,
New York Times,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The latest tool used by winemakers to show off the pure terroir of their grapes is the Wineglobe, a 100 percent glass orb to vinify and age wine.—
Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen,
Robb Report,
6 Apr. 2025
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To suggest that the cartels might import coca leaves to extract cocaine makes about as much sense as suggesting that someone would import Dom Perignon to secure by chemical processing pure extracts of ethyl alcohol.—
Wade Davis,
Rolling Stone,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Over on the Official Physical Singles list, the same title lands at No. 42, just a couple of spots shy of becoming a top 40 seller across the rankings once more.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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Don’t be shy about seeking help There is an army of financial advisers and organizations willing to help people with their budgets and savings plans.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Popeyes Pickle Menu Taste Test To be thorough, associate editor (and humble pickle fan) Bryce Jones sampled everything to see if the brine truly does shine.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Apr. 2025
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On Friday, South Korea’s former President was forced to eat the humble variety after his impeachment over an earlier martial law declaration was unanimously confirmed by the nation’s Constitutional Court.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
4 Apr. 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
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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The Old Lady have underperformed for much of the campaign, and their meek exit from the Champions League at the hands of PSV Eindhoven increased the scrutiny on Motta, who’s only been in the job since last June.—
Emmet Gates,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
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Docile, meek, grateful for him.—
Joyce Carol Oates,
The New Yorker,
16 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Modest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modest. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
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