1
as in average
being about midway between extremes of amount or size
he was awarded a modest pension when he retired
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of modest
The January to February period, which covers the annul Lunar New Year holiday, saw a modest pick up to 4% year on year, the statistics bureau said Monday.
—
Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 19 Mar. 2025
Still, the wins have been modest so far: Since 2020, the CWA has unionized disparate groups of workers at SEGA of America, ZeniMax QA, Tender Claws and Raven Software QA.
—Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Mar. 2025
This modest beginning took place in the midst of late Abstract Expressionism’s supremacy (Willem de Kooning was a favorite), Andy Warhol’s Factory, the countercultural music of artists like the Fugs, and the plentiful readings and parties of a vibrant downtown scene.
—David S. Wallace, The New Yorker, 19 Mar. 2025
Gloria, her shy and soft-spoken best friend, lives with her Ghanaian father in a modest apartment, rarely speaking to a mother who moved to Germany years ago.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for modest
Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 19 Mar. 2025
Still, the wins have been modest so far: Since 2020, the CWA has unionized disparate groups of workers at SEGA of America, ZeniMax QA, Tender Claws and Raven Software QA.
—Katie Kilkenny, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Mar. 2025
This modest beginning took place in the midst of late Abstract Expressionism’s supremacy (Willem de Kooning was a favorite), Andy Warhol’s Factory, the countercultural music of artists like the Fugs, and the plentiful readings and parties of a vibrant downtown scene.
—David S. Wallace, The New Yorker, 19 Mar. 2025
Gloria, her shy and soft-spoken best friend, lives with her Ghanaian father in a modest apartment, rarely speaking to a mother who moved to Germany years ago.
—Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for modest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modest
Adjective
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The handy kit was designed by doctors and is a favorite among Amazon shoppers, with a 4.7-star average rating.—
Katie Jackson,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Mar. 2025
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Aside from waiting until the average last frost date has passed, the seedlings will give signs when they can be transplanted outside.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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As a pure runner, though, Giddens is impressive, showing off great speed and vision.—
Steve Bradshaw,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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The heartbreak is immense, but as Ellie so perfectly pointed out, the Winnie-Bubba reunion had to be pure magic.—
Karen Fratti,
People.com,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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And yet Francis has never been shy about showing his frailty, age or infirmities in ways that seem unthinkable for public figures for whom any sign of fragility can threaten their authority and undermine their agenda.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Mar. 2025
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Farrah Abraham is a big fan of plastic surgery, and she’s never been shy about sharing the work she’s gotten done over the years.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Sometimes those simple, humble, short-on-ingredients dishes are some of our most cherished.—
Nellah Bailey McGough,
Southern Living,
22 Mar. 2025
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Articulate yet humble in interviews, Coleman is the ultimate team player on the court and the biggest supporter of his teammates off it.—
Matt Le Cren,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The median price for a home in Elk Grove is $660,000, and the average price is $686,000.—
David Caraccio,
Sacramento Bee,
22 Mar. 2025
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In February, according to Redfin's latest data, the median sale price of a typical U.S. home was $424,647, up 3 percent compared to a year earlier.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Laurent Ferrier Galet Square The opportunity to own an immaculate creation from the hands of a master watchmaker with Patek Philippe pedigree sounds like an unfathomable accomplishment.—
Clem Chambers,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
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The first two rounds run Thursday through Sunday — that’s four immaculate days of next-to-nonstop college basketball in gyms across the country.—
Sam Cohn,
Baltimore Sun,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Nicky Jam has released his first project since facing stark backlash for his (withdrawn) endorsement of Donald Trump.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
28 Feb. 2025
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Children may express anxiety by becoming distant, withdrawn, agitated, upset, or avoiding social contact.8 4.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
27 Feb. 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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The column was, if anything, meek to the point of embarrassing.—
Ruth Marcus,
The New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Modest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modest. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.
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