1
as in meekness
the absence of any feelings of being better than others
his natural modesty makes him reluctant to run for public office
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in purity
the quality or state of being morally pure
in this day and age, that's very becoming modesty in a teenager
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of modesty
Iran’s legal system is based on one interpretation of what Islam teaches about gender roles and modesty for women, and is used to control women, said Iqbal Akhtar, professor of politics and international relations and religious studies at Florida International University.
—
Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
Mike Kelly, a former Vikings executive turned technology CEO who remains a season ticket holder, long felt this modesty was what separated Brzezinski from other front-office types.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Part of her appeal is that, even though her voice is commanding, there’s nothing particularly imperious about her personality, which borders on something like modesty.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
His quiet tone is not shyness or false modesty but circumspection and a sense of boundaries that imply respect and love for real communication.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for modesty
Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
Mike Kelly, a former Vikings executive turned technology CEO who remains a season ticket holder, long felt this modesty was what separated Brzezinski from other front-office types.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Part of her appeal is that, even though her voice is commanding, there’s nothing particularly imperious about her personality, which borders on something like modesty.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
His quiet tone is not shyness or false modesty but circumspection and a sense of boundaries that imply respect and love for real communication.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for modesty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modesty
Noun
-
Such meekness is understandable from him.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Feb. 2026
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Likewise, meekness once meant not becoming weak, but subjugating power to reason – not letting anger take control.—
Timothy J. Pawl,
The Conversation,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Attempts to resolve ecological responsibility through strict localism often risk sliding into cultural provincialism or nationalist enclosure—fantasies of purity that ignore how deeply entangled our lives already are.—
Manuela Moscoso,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
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In fact, according to the real meaning behind Easter colors, the color white symbolizes purity, grace, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is the culmination of the Easter season.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Growth requires humility, not defensiveness.—
Johnny C. Taylor Jr,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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The wolf is humility, and the turtle is truth.—
Elizabeth Howell,
Space.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Here is your certificate of innocence’?—
Joe Mahr,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
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Under California law, prisoners seeking parole may not be penalized for failing to admit wrongdoing, so Kovacich’s claim of innocence was not used against him, Tellman said.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The humbleness comes from the fact that Mendoza wasn’t supposed to be here.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
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And well done Connor Storrie for acknowledging her response with kindness and humbleness.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Modesty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modesty. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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