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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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
Diane was a true artist – tremendously gifted and uniquely talented in so many disciplines, yet also modest and wonderfully eccentric.
—
Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
The studio hopes that will translate into solid word-of-mouth after a modest debut.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025
Diane was a true artist — tremendously gifted and uniquely talented in so many disciplines yet also modest and wonderfully eccentric.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2025
But the system has yet to actually be deployed, and its planned deployment, at least for now, is modest in scope.
—Tharin Pillay, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for modest
Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
The studio hopes that will translate into solid word-of-mouth after a modest debut.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025
Diane was a true artist — tremendously gifted and uniquely talented in so many disciplines yet also modest and wonderfully eccentric.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2025
But the system has yet to actually be deployed, and its planned deployment, at least for now, is modest in scope.
—Tharin Pillay, Time, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for modest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modest
Adjective
-
The below-average rushing attack is probably Philadelphia’s biggest problem, but the anemic passing game isn’t far behind.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
9 Oct. 2025
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But even with Kaprizov now signed to the largest contract in NHL history ($17 million average annual value, $136 million total), Guerin has the cap flexibility to keep adding — at the deadline and next summer.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The 3,479,500 copies in pure album sales for the first week set a record on Billboard’s sales chart, of course.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
13 Oct. 2025
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When there's no thesis or insight, this series feels dangerously close to pure exploitation of a tragedy real people have endured.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The move would raise total duties on imports from China to around 130% – effectively a trade embargo and just shy of the 145% peak reached at the height of the trade war this spring.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
13 Oct. 2025
-
The 3-3 Cougs fell a few seconds shy of being able to attempt a long field goal at the whistle.—
Alex Kirshner,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Bold hues are the name of the game, whether this means going for the kind of saturated, chili pepper–adjacent red that flooded the runways of labels like Ferragamo or embracing autumn’s fascination with all things deep purple, courtesy of an earrings pair that pays homage to the humble eggplant.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
13 Oct. 2025
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And Jacob, who’s so humble, Mia, and, of course, Christoph.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The sentiment is shared by millions of the country’s young population, whose median age is 18, in perhaps the most dramatic example of tension between Africa’s youth and the continent’s many aging leaders.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
12 Oct. 2025
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Costs were then compared to the median household income to determine where Americans spend the greatest percentage of their income on groceries.—
Cailey Gleeson,
jsonline.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The man had immaculate style and exquisite manners.—
Olivia Allen,
Vogue,
11 Oct. 2025
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Our field was immaculate and our team always looked great; first-class uniforms.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Set in Taiwan in 1988, Girl revolves around Hsiao-lee, a quiet and withdrawn girl, growing up in silent gloom.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
5 Aug. 2025
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Unfortunately, further discussions were heated, with no resolve, just more withdrawn behavior while the communications continued.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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Pittsburgh averaged a meek 2.5 yards per carry, while the Pats chugged along at 3.4 yards on runs excluding Maye scrambles.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
22 Sep. 2025
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Doherty, 30, is playing meek flower shop assistant Seymour in the treasured musical, about a strange and unusual plant that feeds only on human flesh and blood.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Modest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modest. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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