1
as in temperate
avoiding extremes in behavior or expression
he was only a moderate drinker, generally stopping after a couple of glasses of wine
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2
as in central
avoiding major social change or extreme political ideas
the principal's moderate position on cell phones is that students can use them at school but only for emergencies
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3
as in average
being about midway between extremes of amount or size
a moderate snowfall was forecast for the region
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4
as in mild
marked by temperatures that are neither too high nor too low
a city that is celebrated for its moderate climate
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as in centrist
a person who holds moderate views
to the community's detriment, moderates were often shouted down at town meetings by the local hotheads
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as in to decrease
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
the wind began to moderate as the night wore on
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of moderate
Aaron Gleeman, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Aim for 150 minutes of light to moderate activity each week, such as jogging or cycling.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 7 Apr. 2025
Will Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
Congressional Democrats and Republicans in swing districts like us go by many different Washington monikers: moderates, centrists, battlegrounders, etc.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Nerdwallet, Orange County Register, 4 Mar. 2025
And the fine print on all the bullish writeups for 2025 dutifully noted that post-election years often withhold their rewards in the early going and that equity returns after consecutive annual gains of 20% or more tend to moderate.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Adjective
Lewis is three weeks into his recovery for a moderate left hamstring strain, which typically carries a return timeline of at least six weeks.
—Aaron Gleeman, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Aim for 150 minutes of light to moderate activity each week, such as jogging or cycling.
—Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
Nationally, conservatives have been gaining in numbers at the expense of liberals and moderates, according to our recent polling.
—Will Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
Congressional Democrats and Republicans in swing districts like us go by many different Washington monikers: moderates, centrists, battlegrounders, etc.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
Home prices appear to be moderating, too.
—Nerdwallet, Orange County Register, 4 Mar. 2025
And the fine print on all the bullish writeups for 2025 dutifully noted that post-election years often withhold their rewards in the early going and that equity returns after consecutive annual gains of 20% or more tend to moderate.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moderate
Adjective
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Spanish canals operated in a temperate climate and were managed by individual farmers who could maintain or increase their water flow.—
Ari Caramanica,
The Conversation,
8 Apr. 2025
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In fact, the more temperate weather can be the best time to snuggle up outside, sit by a fire pit, and enjoy a new piece of outdoor furniture.—
Shea Simmons,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Müller’s central argument has been that populism should primarily be defined as a movement in which a leader claims to represent a silenced or forgotten—and almost always exclusionary—majority.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2025
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That decision has become central to the defense’s latest motion to seek dismissal of the case.—
Andrea Tinianow,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The experts predict the economy will nearly stall in 2025, growing 0.8%, down from their projection of 1.7% just last month, according to the average estimate of 46 economists surveyed by Wolters Kluwer Blue Chip Economic Indicators on April 4 and April 7.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2025
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The area normally can expect 38.4 inches, according to the National Weather Service. Chicago was warmer than average during the 2023-24 season, which meant snow was scarce.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Note that there will be differences in heat levels and texture: Many brands make hot and mild varieties, and harissa can range from loose and sauce-like to thick and pasty.—
Sheela Prakash,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
17 Apr. 2025
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The adverse events were considered generally mild to moderate, according to the company, with upset stomach the most commonly reported.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But Johnson is getting hit from both sides, as both centrists and hardliners’ skepticism of the bill is leading to a possible delay in the process.—
Rachel Schilke,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
25 Feb. 2025
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Its rise is part of a Europe-wide trend alarming liberals and centrists, whereby once-fringe nationalist parties are making striding gains across the continent at the expense of the political establishment.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC News,
22 Feb. 2025
Verb
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On the other hand, just 5 percent said tariffs would decrease prices in the short term, and 30 percent said the policy would lower prices in the long term.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
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And the over-all number of abortions in the U.S. may eventually decrease as a result of Dobbs.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Simmons' initial reaction to the insult was a bit more restrained than his typical unfiltered comments.—
Marina Watts,
People.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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This year, the prestigious but far more restrained perpetual calendar was the complication of choice.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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In Lisbon, median real estate sales prices soared 62% from 2018 to 2024.—
Meehika Barua,
HubSpot,
18 Apr. 2025
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The median sales price in the area is now $476,667, according to Zillow.—
Raisa Habersham,
Miami Herald,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Moderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moderate. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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