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as in humble
not having or showing any feelings of superiority, self-assertiveness, or showiness appealingly modest about her success in the fashion industry

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word modest distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of modest are chaste, decent, and pure. While all these words mean "free from all taint of what is lewd or salacious," modest and decent apply especially to deportment and dress as outward signs of inward chastity or purity.

preferred more modest swimsuits
decent people didn't go to such movies

When is it sensible to use chaste instead of modest?

While the synonyms chaste and modest are close in meaning, chaste primarily implies a refraining from acts or even thoughts or desires that are not virginal or not sanctioned by marriage vows.

they maintained chaste relations

How do pure and chaste relate to one another, in the sense of modest?

Pure differs from chaste in implying innocence and absence of temptation rather than control of one's impulses and actions.

the pure of heart

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of modest For most of the peak time of the storm in each county, rain is forecast to fall at more modest rates of a quarter of an inch to half an inch per hour, Kittell said. Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2025 At less than 1% of the federal budget, for a relatively modest amount of money, this work does a world of good. Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2025 Joan is already an international star, and her style is modest, almost ecclesiastical. Ingrid Schmidt, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Feb. 2025 Watch the Halftime Show 2025 Live For Free $0+ Buy Now The Super Bowl Halftime Show has come a long way since its modest beginnings with marching bands in 1967. Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 9 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for modest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modest
Adjective
  • But the average 30-year mortgage rate has since moved up, from a little over 6% in September to closer to 7% today.
    Ruth Thompson, USA TODAY, 16 Feb. 2025
  • The average price of a new truck in January was $59,684, while SUVs sold for an average of $47,667, according to Cox Automotive.
    Joann Muller, Axios, 15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The Shielding Suit, a futuristic tracksuit made of pure silver, provides comprehensive protection against various forms of tracking and surveillance.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 17 Feb. 2025
  • Additionally, Butler's pure feistiness should help Golden State in terms of toughness on the court.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • In all, just shy of 7,000 claims have been filed in the six weeks of the new year, or about 55% more than in the prior six-week period.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 15 Feb. 2025
  • The Melody robe is often sold out, so don’t be shy about peeking around the Missoni site or the bricks-and-mortar SoCal store in Costa Mesa’s luxurious South Coast Plaza for another model.
    Dave Schilling, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Neville has always been humble about his playing career, instead pointing to the talent of those around him, from Cantona to Beckham and many others in between.
    Matt Slater, The Athletic, 15 Feb. 2025
  • Though Saturday Night excoriates Chase as a haughty frat-adjacent character and the actor’s reputation as being difficult to work with precedes him, an early writer paints a more humble picture.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • In December 2024, the median price for a single-family home was $675,000—up 78 percent from 2019.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 17 Feb. 2025
  • The median sale price for Hartford homes in December 2024 fell far below the average: $285,000 compared to $427,523, according to Construction Coverage.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Aided by their immaculate record of qualifying for Europe in every season since 1992-93, the pair have accumulated nearly 700,000 miles in UEFA competitions (roughly three times the distance to the Moon).
    Conor O'Neill, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025
  • In Brown, Rice found a friend and golfing buddy, two veteran receivers whose perfectionist nature was represented not only on the field but also in coming to work looking immaculate in terms of dress and style.
    Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Steve Mariucci and the coaching staff didn’t seem to know what to make of Rice, who had become more temperamental and withdrawn.
    Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 12 Feb. 2025
  • The expressions on these youthful figures are intent and heartfelt: obedient, frightened, absorbed, wary, withdrawn, cruel, proud, sly, or shy.
    Michael Bracewell, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Misty is really Joe Brown, a meek hotel accountant, but after 30 minutes with makeup, a fantastic outfit, and big hair — shazzam!
    Sandra Dallas, The Denver Post, 2 Feb. 2025
  • Flip-up covers on the front and rear boxes open up a pair of rather meek storage areas for carrying your shopping bags around, and the rear cover makes a small concession to comfort, revealing a half-inch thick seat pad when it's fully flipped open.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 11 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Modest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modest. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

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