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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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as in temperance
an avoidance of extremes in one's actions, beliefs, or habits
the kind of person who does everything in moderation
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of moderate
Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 5 Mar. 2025
External buffers in Mexico are strong and debt-to-GDP ratio is moderate.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025
Doing so would remove the progressive patina that may motivate the liberal base but repel moderates and independents.
—Matt Klink, Orange County Register, 19 Feb. 2025
New Atlas, 3 Mar. 2025
Temperatures across much of the East will be considerably colder than normal on Sunday, but should moderate back to normal Monday-Tuesday.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Adjective
Known for her more moderate politics, Slotkin has not hesitated in the past to critique her party's messaging when necessary.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 5 Mar. 2025
External buffers in Mexico are strong and debt-to-GDP ratio is moderate.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
Noun
Senators raced ahead of the House as the lower chamber debated how to keep everyone from fiscal conservatives in the Freedom Caucus to moderates from swing districts happy.
—Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025
Doing so would remove the progressive patina that may motivate the liberal base but repel moderates and independents.
—Matt Klink, Orange County Register, 19 Feb. 2025
Verb
Four patients experienced severe adverse events; all the other episodes were mild to moderate in severity, including one mild hypoglycemic event that the researchers determined was not caused by HTD1801.
—New Atlas, 3 Mar. 2025
Temperatures across much of the East will be considerably colder than normal on Sunday, but should moderate back to normal Monday-Tuesday.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moderate
Adjective
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The 2025 edition is being held in a temperate climate in the middle of the European season, where many of the best players are based.—
Phil Hay,
The Athletic,
26 Feb. 2025
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But Bella Hadid has returned from the (marginally) more temperate Texas with a sartorial plan of action.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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While most filmmakers don’t explicitly acknowledge the disparity in privilege between the subjects and themselves, Shah makes this conversation central to his film.—
Carlos Aguilar,
IndieWire,
8 Mar. 2025
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Every detail aligned with the central motif of the rose—even the bag handles were accented with thorns.—
Kristen Bateman,
Vogue,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The average amount of unsecured debt held by those clients, excluding mortgages and car loans, now tops $30,000.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA TODAY,
27 Feb. 2025
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That basic annuity is calculated using years of service and the highest average pay during three consecutive years of service, so even employees who are eligible for the program could end up with a lower-than-expected benefit if they are pushed out.—
Jesse Pound,
CNBC,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The 80 million vibrant ranunculus are blooming early this year because of the mild winter, and April will be the peak, the Union-Tribune reports.—
Kate Murphy,
Axios,
28 Feb. 2025
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And there have been reported breakthrough infections in the Texas outbreak — meaning some who were infected were indeed vaccinated; however, their illness was mild and less likely to infect others.—
Michelle Deal-Zimmerman,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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New York Open Data showed that certain types of delays, such as those related to braking issues, rail and roadbed problems and service delivery, decreased on the A line from September to December.—
Nic F. Anderson,
CNN,
9 Mar. 2025
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The three main causes of hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The commissioner’s restrained view of the FTC’s mission was inconsistent with Roosevelt’s policy agenda, which was the reason the president gave for dismissing him.—
Jacob Sullum,
Orange County Register,
24 Feb. 2025
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Though the Franco-American relationship had cooled by then, Trump and Macron shook hands in a somewhat restrained manner. 2024: The Shake Seen Around The World Last December, Trump, Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met in Paris ahead of the reopening of the Notre-Dame Cathedral.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The median nightly price per person for a vacation rental in Avila Beach is $124, according to HomeToGo.—
Hannah Poukish,
Sacramento Bee,
1 Mar. 2025
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In 2023, the median price for a New York City slice was $3.24, according to journalist Liam Quigley.—
Mark Dent,
thehustle.co,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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These exercises can help mitigate the effects Going for a walk is one of the gentlest and healthiest forms of exercise, Gjergja said.—
Melanie Radzicki McManus,
CNN,
7 Mar. 2025
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The group was equally adept with dancefloor fodder and gentle ballads.—
Erik Pedersen,
Deadline,
7 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Moderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moderate. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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