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as in humble
not having or showing any feelings of superiority, self-assertiveness, or showiness appealingly modest about her success in the fashion industry

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word modest distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of modest are chaste, decent, and pure. While all these words mean "free from all taint of what is lewd or salacious," modest and decent apply especially to deportment and dress as outward signs of inward chastity or purity.

preferred more modest swimsuits
decent people didn't go to such movies

When is it sensible to use chaste instead of modest?

While the synonyms chaste and modest are close in meaning, chaste primarily implies a refraining from acts or even thoughts or desires that are not virginal or not sanctioned by marriage vows.

they maintained chaste relations

How do pure and chaste relate to one another, in the sense of modest?

Pure differs from chaste in implying innocence and absence of temptation rather than control of one's impulses and actions.

the pure of heart

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of modest Even at a modest 3x revenue multiple—consistent with the broader S&P 500 index—the stock could potentially reach $20, representing a nearly 10x upside from current levels. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025 Carter, 23 put up modest numbers in limited playing time, averaging 3.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.6 steals in 11.0 minutes per game. Sacbee.com, 8 July 2025 Stocks continued their downward dip from Monday, with the S&P 500 falling 0.07%, driven by modest drops in blue-chip companies like Amazon and Microsoft. Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 8 July 2025 ETFs are close cousins to mutual funds in that both are broad portfolios of stocks or bonds packaged and overseen by financial companies such as Vanguard, BlackRock or Fidelity that can be purchased for modest sums, often $1,000 or so. Russ Wiles, AZCentral.com, 8 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for modest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modest
Adjective
  • The average length of care per month jumped from roughly two months in December 2024 to more than five months by May 2025, according to HHS data.
    Nicol León, AZCentral.com, 22 July 2025
  • The average lunch break in the U.K., for workers who have one, lasts thirty-three minutes.
    Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 21 July 2025
Adjective
  • Citing the Base Realignment and Closure commission example is pure illusion.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 July 2025
  • But given that season 2 is yet to be confirmed, this is pure speculation.
    Allison DeGrushe Published, EW.com, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • The unembellished style is well suited for Lake Orta, the quietly beautiful but shy little sister of northern Italy’s more glamorous resort towns.
    Ann Abel, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • And that group never has been shy in expressing its confidence.
    Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2025
Adjective
  • Both Dunn’s and Watt’s stories exemplify two former standout NFL players who reached the pinnacle of their professions yet never forgot their humble beginnings, continuing to remain empathetic and grounded.
    Mark LaSota, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
  • Others presented someone humble and open about their limitations.
    Lauren Keating, Scientific American, 21 July 2025
Adjective
  • The median overtime pay for those rangers was $567.
    Maritza Dominguez, AZCentral.com, 24 July 2025
  • Parker Benjamin’s application pledges to put aside four apartments for tenants earning no more than 80% of the region’s median income, and would target the other 12 to be affordable to people making 100% or less of the region’s median income.
    Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • Audemars Piguet’s manufacture calibre 4404 offers a strong 70-hour power reserve, while its 433 parts power an accurate flyback chronograph with an immaculate heritage.
    Thor Svaboe, Robb Report, 14 July 2025
  • Sometime in the future when and if double-digit wins and Chicago Cubs is a category in immaculate grid, Matthew Boyd will qualify.
    Larry Fleisher, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
Adjective
  • Notice if the child becomes withdrawn, anxious, or shows signs of distress connected to a friendship.
    Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 10 July 2025
  • Often, people that indulge in this type of culture are considered anti-social or withdrawn, a stereotype that has been passed around for years.
    Dominick Williams, Kansas City Star, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • Antoinette becomes a de facto leader when her meek husband crumbles under pressure.
    Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2025
  • The end of season 2 turned the tables on the meek Ada and domineering Agnes when Agnes lost her fortune thanks to her son Oscar (Blake Ritson) trusting the wrong people.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 23 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Modest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modest. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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