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
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2025
Overall, nearly 40% of California is experiencing drought conditions, with 18.3% classified as abnormally dry, 15.1% in moderate drought, 17.6% in severe drought, 7.0% in extreme drought and 0.1% in exceptional drought, a May 20 report said.
—Terry Collins, USA Today, 28 May 2025
The Editors, National Review, 12 May 2025
Tellingly, even in a Church that has deep ideological divisions between progressives like the late Francis, moderates and conservatives, there is continuation, both historical and functional.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 8 May 2025
Charlie Vargas, Oc Register, 21 May 2025
In a conversation at the first annual Flow Space Women’s Health Summit LA moderated by Flow Space editor-in-chief Galina Espinoza, Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, founder and author of Menopause Bootcamp and chief clinical officer of Monarch MD, discussed the implications of this research.
—Mara Santilli, Flow Space, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Adjective
The early options on the GOP side are bleak: Neither Donalds nor Casey DeSantis, the governor’s wife who’s said to be interested in succeeding him, is the moderate Florida so desperately needs now.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2025
Overall, nearly 40% of California is experiencing drought conditions, with 18.3% classified as abnormally dry, 15.1% in moderate drought, 17.6% in severe drought, 7.0% in extreme drought and 0.1% in exceptional drought, a May 20 report said.
—Terry Collins, USA Today, 28 May 2025
Noun
Besides, if the bill goes down, the taxpayers that moderates are trying to protect with a higher SALT deduction will see their marginal rates increase and a return of the old AMT (which would often negate the SALT deduction).
—The Editors, National Review, 12 May 2025
Tellingly, even in a Church that has deep ideological divisions between progressives like the late Francis, moderates and conservatives, there is continuation, both historical and functional.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 8 May 2025
Verb
Kat Corbett will moderate another book event in California, which will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles on Wednesday, May 28.
—Charlie Vargas, Oc Register, 21 May 2025
In a conversation at the first annual Flow Space Women’s Health Summit LA moderated by Flow Space editor-in-chief Galina Espinoza, Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, founder and author of Menopause Bootcamp and chief clinical officer of Monarch MD, discussed the implications of this research.
—Mara Santilli, Flow Space, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moderate
Adjective
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Today, these ants primarily live in undisturbed and temperate eastern North American forests.—
Lauren Thomann,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 May 2025
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Best Time to Visit Locals know the fall and winter tend to be the best times to visit St. George Island for temperate weather, smaller crowds, and lower humidity.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
6 May 2025
Adjective
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The recipe is based on an ancient wheat, which is best suited to drought conditions — shedding light on the climate of central Turkey during the Bronze Age.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
31 May 2025
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That message is in part one of necessity, given that the threat of dramatically higher tariff rates is the central leverage the administration is using in the 18 separate bilateral trade talks that the administration says are underway.—
Elisabeth Buchwald,
CNN Money,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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The average African filmmaker doesn’t have that luxury.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
3 June 2025
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Watches range from 1,500 euros to more than 11,000 euros, with an average price point around 5,000 euros.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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Our tester’s hair has mild dandruff and became flake-free after consistent use.—
Kayla Blanton,
People.com,
5 June 2025
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Refinements since then pushed the output to 300 hp and 365 lb-ft, offering a mild edge over the outgoing engine, but a new six-speed automatic replacing the old four-speed one meant the SUV could make better use of the grunt on hand.—
Will Sabel Courtney,
Robb Report,
5 June 2025
Verb
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The top three contributors to hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
1 June 2025
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As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
1 June 2025
Adjective
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The company expects ongoing cautious consumer behavior amid persistent inflation, leading to restrained discretionary spending, especially on high-ticket products.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
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Wirtz, especially, can look awkward in Julian Nagelsmann’s team, and is used in a comparatively restrained way.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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The median income for suburban renters, at $42,500, lags significantly behind that of homeowners, who earn an average of over $86,000.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
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For many workers, that target can be difficult to match, considering that median income for full-time workers in their 30s is roughly $60,000 to $70,000, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data for the first quarter of 2025.—
Mike Winters,
CNBC,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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The two-piece gown featured a sculpted bodice with a gentle curve at the neckline and a drop waist that nodded to early 2000s silhouettes.—
Karissa Mitchell,
Essence,
30 May 2025
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Establishing a calming bedtime routine, like gentle brushing or massage, can also help to cue bedtime and reduce nighttime barking.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Moderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moderate. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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