Entry Word: moderate

Function: adjective

Meaning: 1 avoiding extremes in behavior or expression <he was only a moderate drinker, stopping after a couple of glasses of wine>

Synonyms temperate

Related Words controlled, curbed, disciplined, restrained, self-controlled; calculated, deliberate, measured; rational, reasonable; average, mediocre, medium, modest, ordinary, run-of-the-mill, so-so; normal, ordinary, regular, routine, typical, usual

Near Antonyms excessive, extreme, inordinate, radical; irrational, unreasonable; extremist, fanatic (or fanatical), rabid, radical

Antonyms immoderate, intemperate

2 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>

Synonyms middle-of-the-road

Related Words conventional, orthodox, traditional, rational, reasonable; neutral

Near Antonyms excessive; conservative, reactionary, rightist; leftist, liberal, progressive; fanatic (or fanatical), revolutionary, revolutionist, subversive, violent; agitating, fomenting, incendiary, inciting, instigating, provocative, provoking; rabble-rousing; dissenting

Antonyms extremist, radical

3 being about midway between extremes of amount or size <a moderate snowfall was forecast for the region> — see middle 2
4 marked by temperatures that are neither too high nor too low <a city that is celebrated for its moderate climate> — see clement