moderate

adjective mod·er·ate \ ˈmä-d(ə-)rət \

Updated on: 26 Apr 2018

Definition of moderate

1 a : avoiding extremes of behavior or expression : observing reasonable limits

a moderate drinker

b : calm, temperate

Though very much in favor of the measure, he expressed himself in moderate language.

2 a : tending toward the mean or average amount or dimension

a family of moderate income

b : having average or less than average quality : mediocre

wrote moderate poetry to the end of his life
—Carl Van Doren

3 : not violent, severe, or intense

a moderate climate

moderate winters

cook over moderate heat

4 : professing or characterized by political or social beliefs that are not extreme

had left-wing, moderate, and right-wing candidates vying for the nomination

5 : limited in scope or effect

His new wealth had only a moderate effect on his way of life.

6 : not expensive : reasonable or low in price

a moderate price for a new house

7 of a color : of medium lightness and medium chroma

a moderate red

—

moderately

adverb

—

moderateness

noun

See moderate defined for English-language learners

See moderate defined for kids

Examples of moderate in a Sentence

Her doctor recommended moderate exercise.
There were moderate levels of chemicals in the lake.
drinking moderate amounts of coffee
Most of these medicines relieve mild to moderate pain.
a family of moderate income
a book of moderate length
The group met with only moderate success.
a writer of moderate talent
The hotel offers comfortable rooms at moderate prices.
Both moderate Democrats and moderate Republicans can agree on this new law.

Recent Examples of moderate from the Web

Fletcher, accordingly, has sought to project a moderate face that could appeal to Democrats, centrists, and more independent or liberal Republicans.

— kevin diaz, Houston Chronicle, "Democratic runoff foes differ on best way to oust Republican incumbent Culberson," 9 Apr. 2018
To be a moderate fan, the kind who might go to a few games a year and know most of the players but also be able to forget about the team for days and weeks, go to No.

— sam mellinger, kansascity, "Life as a Royals fan, Choose Your Own Adventure style | The Kansas City Star," 6 Apr. 2018
Trout fishing remains good below the dam anytime there's moderate current flow--visit Riverside Fly Shop for tips and tackle; www.riversideflyshop.com.

— frank sargeant, AL.com, "Friday Fishing Report," 6 Apr. 2018
There is limited clinical trial evidence of why moderate drinking may be a good thing.

— jen christensen, CNN, "Federal agency scrutinized over potential alcohol industry links," 2 Apr. 2018
Prices: Appetizers $7 to $18, entrees $22 to $38 Food: American Noise/TVs: Noise varies by location, but tends to be moderate (except when trains pass).

— tim smith, baltimoresun.com, "Baldwin's Station remains an appealing destination in Sykesville," 28 Mar. 2018
If left alone, its population is moderate and avoids humans.

— phil diehl, latimes.com, "Squirrels have overrun some coastal cities and lost their fear of humans, officials say," 25 Mar. 2018
For the Great Plains, this was also true, but the effect was much more moderate and emerged only gradually.

— john timmer, Ars Technica, "When will the US feel the heat of global warming?," 20 Mar. 2018
The question is whether the 8th District is ready for a leftist Trump, or even a moderate Democrat.

— graham vyse, New Republic, "The Women Who Want to Turn Trent Franks’s Seat Blue," 11 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'moderate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of moderate

Middle English, from Latin moderatus, from past participle of moderare to moderate; akin to Latin modus measure

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

moderate Synonyms

moderate

verb mod·er·ate \ ˈmä-də-ˌrāt \

Definition of moderate

moderated; moderating

transitive verb

1 : to lessen the intensity or extremeness of

the sun moderated the chill

2 : to preside over or act as chairman of

moderated the board of directors meeting

moderated the debate

intransitive verb

1 : to act as a moderator

He moderated on a weekly panel show.

2 : to become less violent, severe, or intense

the wind began to moderate

—

moderation

play \ˌmä-də-ˈrā-shən\ noun

See moderate defined for English-language learners

Examples of moderate in a Sentence

The protesters have been unwilling to moderate their demands.
She moderates at our office meetings.
She moderates our discussions so that we don't argue or talk at the same time.

Recent Examples of moderate from the Web

Overnight low temperatures will be moderated some by the increase in cloud cover.

— greg porter, Washington Post, "PM Update: Cool tonight with increasing clouds. Mostly cloudy but mild for Sunday.," 21 Apr. 2018
The conversation will be moderated by Nichole Christian, local journalist, author and activist.

— Detroit Free Press, "Freep Film Festival 2018: All the Friday movies and special events," 13 Apr. 2018
The free event will be moderated by Journal Sentinel projects reporter James E. Causey.

— james e. causey, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Storytelling event will focus on overcoming obstacles and turning that into success," 4 Apr. 2018
The event will be moderated by Harvard professor and developmental psychologist Nancy Hill.

— Fox News, "Larry Nassar victim to speak at Harvard about forgiveness," 1 Apr. 2018
The event was moderated by Nancy Ancrum, editor of the Miami Herald Editorial Board, which quoted the latter part of the candidate’s statement on its Twitter account.

— david smiley, miamiherald, "Are most people in this Congress district ‘uneducated?’ Candidate says she misspoke | Miami Herald," 29 Mar. 2018
The town hall will be moderated by Anderson Cooper and follows the release of Comey's book, A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership, on April 17.

— marilyn icsman, USA TODAY, "CNN will host town hall with former FBI Director James Comey," 28 Mar. 2018
Almost all aspects of play can be moderated like this by spit-balling on the spot.

— william herkewitz, Popular Mechanics, "So You Want To Play Dungeons & Dragons...," 20 Mar. 2018
The discussion was moderated by Robert Rivard, publisher of the nonprofit news site Rivard Report, and co-sponsored by more than 40 organizations.

— silvia foster-frau, San Antonio Express-News, "S.A. education forum focuses on 4-year-olds," 6 Mar. 2018

Origin and Etymology of moderate

see ¹moderate

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

moderate Synonyms

Synonyms

abate, de-escalate, decline, decrease, die (away or down or out), diminish, drain (away), drop (off), dwindle, ease, ebb, fall, fall away, lessen, let up, lower, pall, phase down, ratchet (down) also rachet (down) , recede, relent, remit, shrink, subside, taper, taper off, wane;

Antonyms

accumulate, balloon, build, burgeon (also bourgeon), enlarge, escalate, expand, grow, increase, intensify, mount, mushroom, pick up, rise, snowball, soar, swell, wax;

Near Antonyms

appear, emerge, show up;

blow up, distend, elongate, lengthen;

evaporate, fade (away), fritter (away), give out, melt (away), peter (out), tail (off), vanish;

slacken, slow (down);

alleviate, relax;

flag, sink, weaken;

cave (in), collapse, deflate;

moderate

noun mod·er·ate \ ˈmä-d(ə-)rət \

Definition of moderate

: one who holds moderate views or who belongs to a group favoring a moderate course or program

See moderate defined for English-language learners

Examples of moderate in a Sentence

Moderates from both political parties have agreed on an economic plan.
to the community's detriment, moderates were often shouted down at town meetings by the local hotheads

Recent Examples of moderate from the Web

And with radical congressional leaders like Newt Gingrich and Paul Ryan snatching control of the party, aided by mass movements like the Tea Party, Republican moderates of any sort have started to feel unwelcome in Washington.

— jeet heer, The New Republic, "America’s Disappearing Foreign Policy," 27 Mar. 2018
Bolton will not officially start in the job until April 9, but already moderates in the West Wing are worried.

— philip elliott, Time, "Donald Trump Just Hired John Bolton. Here's Why That Makes Some Nervous," 23 Mar. 2018
Democrat Carol Sente of Vernon Hills is vacating the seat after nearly nine years, citing grueling election campaigns and the loss of moderates in Springfield as reasons for her departure.

— rick kambic, chicagotribune.com, "Didech, Feldman claim victory in 59th District primaries," 21 Mar. 2018
Active Ride Control moderates fore-aft pitching of the vehicle over bumps in the road by controlling the engine and brakes, for a smoother ride.

— emma jayne williams, star-telegram, "Nissan adds smaller Rogue Sport model to crossover lineup, starting at $21,420 | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 27 Jan. 2018
Liberal whites also strongly favored the pro-immigration proposal, while moderates were nearly evenly split.

— john timmer, Ars Technica, "Immigrant-friendly policies make most whites feel welcomed, too," 17 Jan. 2018
Another troubling lesson from the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and now Syria is that today’s moderate can become tomorrow’s extremist.

— jeff stein, Newsweek, "Inside the CIA's Syrian Rebels Vetting Machine," 10 Nov. 2014
But Murray cautioned breaking from the national party may not be a good idea in a district where getting Democrats to turnout is more important than converting moderates.

— NBC News, "Facing GOP attacks, more Democratic candidates ditch Pelosi," 28 Mar. 2018
Step to the Right Bolton’s appointment marks another step to the right as Trump swaps out foreign policy moderates.

— Fortune, "President Trump Swaps National Security Adviser, Trading McMaster for Bolton," 23 Mar. 2018

Origin and Etymology of moderate

see ¹moderate

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1648

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

moderate Synonyms

Synonyms

centrist, middle-of-the-roader;

Antonyms

extremist, radical, revolutionary, revolutionist, ultraist;

Near Antonyms

conservative, reactionary, rightist, right-winger;

leftist, left-winger, liberal;

Related Words

progressive, reformer;

accommodationist, compromiser;

MODERATE Defined for English Language Learners

moderate

adjective

Definition of moderate for English Language Learners

: average in size or amount : neither too much nor too little
: neither very good nor very bad
: not expensive : not too high in price

moderate

verb

Definition of moderate for English Language Learners

: to make (something) less harsh, strong, or severe or to become less harsh, strong, or severe
: to guide a discussion or direct a meeting that involves a group of people

moderate

noun

Definition of moderate for English Language Learners

: a person whose political ideas are not extreme : a person who has moderate opinions or is a member of a moderate political group

MODERATE Defined for Kids

moderate

adjective mod·er·ate \ ˈmä-də-rət \

Definition of moderate for Students

1 : neither too much nor too little

moderate heat

2 : neither very good nor very bad

moderate success

3 : not expensive : reasonable

moderate rates

4 : not extreme or excessive

a moderate point of view

a moderate eater

—

moderately

adverb

moderate

verb mod·er·ate \ ˈmä-də-ˌrāt \

Definition of moderate for Students

moderated; moderating

: to make or become less extreme or severe

Medical Dictionary

moderate

adjective mod·er·ate \ ˈmäd-(ə-)rət \

medical Definition of moderate

1 : avoiding extremes of behavior : observing reasonable limits

a moderate drinker

2 : not severe in effect or degree

moderate alcohol consumption

the abdomen was mildly distended with moderate tenderness
—Timothy Melester et al

moderate developmental disabilities

moderate

transitive verb mod·er·ate \ ˈmäd-ə-ˌrāt \

medical Definition of moderate

moderated; moderating

: to reduce the speed or energy of (neutrons)

—

moderation

play \ˌmäd-ə-ˈrā-shən\ noun

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moderately

moderateness

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moderate

Definition of moderate

moderation

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moderate Synonyms

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moderate

Definition of moderate

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MODERATE Defined for English Language Learners

moderate

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moderate

Definition of moderate for English Language Learners

moderate

Definition of moderate for English Language Learners

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moderate

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moderately

moderate

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moderate

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moderate

medical Definition of moderate

moderation

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