Synonym Chooser

How is the word immoderate different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of immoderate are excessive, exorbitant, extravagant, extreme, and inordinate. While all these words mean "going beyond a normal limit," immoderate implies lack of desirable or necessary restraint.

immoderate spending

When can excessive be used instead of immoderate?

In some situations, the words excessive and immoderate are roughly equivalent. However, excessive implies an amount or degree too great to be reasonable or acceptable.

excessive punishment

When is exorbitant a more appropriate choice than immoderate?

The synonyms exorbitant and immoderate are sometimes interchangeable, but exorbitant implies a departure from accepted standards regarding amount or degree.

exorbitant prices

Where would extravagant be a reasonable alternative to immoderate?

While the synonyms extravagant and immoderate are close in meaning, extravagant implies an indifference to restraints imposed by truth, prudence, or good taste.

extravagant claims for the product

When would extreme be a good substitute for immoderate?

The meanings of extreme and immoderate largely overlap; however, extreme may imply an approach to the farthest limit possible or conceivable but commonly means only to a notably high degree.

extreme shyness

In what contexts can inordinate take the place of immoderate?

The words inordinate and immoderate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inordinate implies an exceeding of the limits dictated by reason or good judgment.

inordinate pride

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 immoderate And drinking any type of alcohol in any type of immoderate way can bring more than a shot of risks. Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024 That would have put the celebration on Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, a day traditionally marked by a big pancake supper and other immoderate and extravagant indulgences on the night before fasting and sobriety take over for Lent. Ruth Graham, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2024 The meat is juicy, salty and a little stringy, with a thick, craggy crust laced with an immoderate amount of black pepper. Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2024 Haley’s gift is to come across as a moderate while espousing immoderate views and surrounding herself with extremists. Sue Halpern, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2023 Mia got her gig and Lucia got her money; that final shot, in which the two best friends skip off together to make immoderate purchases, might be the closest thing White will ever give us to a happy ending. Time, 12 Dec. 2022 It’s long been argued that information disclosure initiatives like TRI compel polluters to scale back immoderate emissions for fear that their names might otherwise end up on the front page of The New York Times. Ava Kofman, oregonlive, 16 Dec. 2021 In my reading, Louie has been accused of immoderate desire, and the story is her response. Amy Weiss-Meyer, The Atlantic, 16 May 2021 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, isn’t their willingness to pursue traditional Democratic goals by immoderate methods but their embrace of radical progressivism. Barton Swaim, WSJ, 12 Apr. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for immoderate
Adjective
  • A level 2 of 4 threat for excessive rainfall is in place for parts of eastern New Mexico and western Texas due to rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour possible in the heaviest storms.
    Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The government's initial response, which blamed opposition factions rather than acknowledging excessive force, further inflamed tensions.
    Sonal Nain, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Ketamine therapy’s most common short-term side effects are dizziness and nausea, but in extreme cases, long-term, heavy use of ketamine is associated with memory problems, gastrointestinal issues, and urinary tract infections, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
    Rachel Hale, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Tootles’ death disproves this, showing that a hybrid being can die under extreme circumstances.
    Leia Mendoza, Variety, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • During the Edwardian period and early 20th century, luxury fur coats, full-length wraps, stoles, and extravagant collars were at the height of fashion—as much a symbol of wealth as any jewel.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The spread is a rare offering in the Gopher State, where such extravagant homes don’t hit the market all that often.
    Tori Latham, Robb Report, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Some technology geeks may indeed be attracted to these features, though there are trade-offs here, and steep ones, as many normies will also find these features absolutely infuriating.
    Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Trump’s immigration crackdown is at odds with his efforts to bring foreign money into the US and could unsettle trade talks with South Korea, which in July pledged $350 billion in investments in exchange for being spared steep tariffs.
    Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Malik Heath’s insane toe-tap grab on the sideline, which was reversed after video replay review, was a massive 37-yard swing for the Packers during the drive.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • None of their other work, arguably, has had the seismic impact or inspires the same insane quotability as This Is Spinal Tap.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 12 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Immoderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/immoderate. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on immoderate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!