moderate

adjective mod·er·ate \ ˈmä-d(ə-)rət \

Updated on: 25 May 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

Given a list of many different types of candidates to choose from, Democrats tend to divide between preferring either a moderate or a progressive Democrat.

— CBS News, "CBS News Nation Tracker poll: Americans give Trump credit for good economy, mixed reviews on N.K.," 20 May 2018
Ryan was suddenly hearing it in stereo as an alloy of moderate and conservative Republicans threatened to incinerate the farm bill on the floor unless the GOP leadership responded on immigration.

— chad pergram, Fox News, "GOP House leaders get signals crossed on farm bill; with Ryan leaving what next?," 19 May 2018
For the moment, the WHO rates the risk of Ebola’s spreading to neighboring states as moderate and the risk of international transmission as low, Salama said.

— nick cumming-bruce, BostonGlobe.com, "Ebola spreads to major Congo city," 17 May 2018
The poll also suggests that Bredesen’s strategy of running as a moderate and distancing himself from the national party could be paying off.

— lauren egan, NBC News, "TN-SEN: New poll shows Bredesen is more popular among independents than Blackburn," 17 May 2018
For the moment, the World Health Organization rates the risk of Ebola’s spreading to neighboring states as moderate and the risk of international transmission as low, Dr. Salama said.

— nick cumming-bruce, New York Times, "Fears of Larger Contagion as Ebola Spreads to Major Congo City," 17 May 2018
Many houseplants thrive in low to moderate light and warm, high humidity environments, making the bathroom the ideal spot in our homes for them.

— maria cassano, Allure, "7 Air-Purifying Shower Plants That Keep Your Bathroom Fresh," 16 May 2018
But Tiberi’s endorsed candidate, Troy Balderson, struggled against conservative firebrand Melanie Leneghan in an expensive slugfest that became a surrogate fight between D.C.-based moderate and conservative PACs.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "Favorites Win Nearly Everywhere on First Big Primary Night of 2018," 9 May 2018
The portion of Democrats who describe themselves as liberal rather than conservative or moderate in a Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll, a rise of 20 percentage points since 2004.

— gerard baker, WSJ, "The 10-Point.," 2 May 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

That turmoil – and questions about Air France’s management and survival strategy – sent the airline’s share price down by 13% in early Monday trading, though that had moderated to a 9.7% decline by early afternoon Paris time.

— staff and wire reports, USA TODAY, "Air France hit by new strike, concerns about future," 7 May 2018
Both candidates were asked by Frank Luntz, a Fox News analyst who moderated the event, about legislative battles over the public bathrooms that can be used by transgender people.

— lloyd dunkelberger, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Putnam, DeSantis agree state needs to do more to keep weapons away from people with mental illnesses," 6 May 2018
Both candidates were asked by Frank Luntz, a Fox News analyst who moderated the event, about legislative battles over the public bathrooms that can be used by transgender people.

— lloyd dunkelberger, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Putnam: I would sign abortion 'heartbeat bill'," 6 May 2018
Today The Energy 202 author Dino Grandoni moderates an event hosted by The Wilderness Society on climate change and U.S. Public Lands.

— dino grandoni, Washington Post, "The Energy 202: Interior agency blocks group of archaeologists from attending scientific conference," 3 May 2018
In that role, Ms. Hando wields broad control over court finances, senior judicial appointments and disciplinary procedures, though her powers were slightly moderated following pressure from Europe’s leading rights watchdog.

— New York Times, "After Viktor Orban’s Victory, Hungary’s Judges Start to Tumble," 1 May 2018
Typically, the 65-year-old has been viewed more like a John Kasich moderate.

— jessie balmert, Cincinnati.com, "Tanning salons, ghost candidates and party switchers: Nine local primaries to watch next week," 30 Apr. 2018
Others prefer a more nuanced experience, moderating that blast of heat with the influence of more temperate spices and herbs.

— beth segal, cleveland.com, "Szechuan Gourmet: Hot spot for hot pot and much more in Asiatown (photos)," 20 Apr. 2018
When Megyn Kelly, a Fox News anchor, asked Mr Trump some mildly prosecutorial questions while moderating a primary debate, Mr Trump threatened to boycott the network.

— The Economist, "The president’s takeover of his party is near complete," 19 Apr. 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

The event also came as top House Republicans worked to head off an attempt by party moderates to force roll calls on four immigration bills.

— jill colvin, chicagotribune.com, "Trump refers to some who cross border illegally as 'animals'," 17 May 2018
The event also came as top House Republicans worked to head off an attempt by party moderates to force roll calls on four immigration bills.

— NBC News, "Trump draws rebuke for 'animal' remark at immigration talk," 17 May 2018
Trump needs a candidate who siphons off not only Republican Never Trumpers, but moderates who might otherwise vote for the Democrat.

— bobby jindal, WSJ, "Kasich Could Be Trump’s Best Hope," 16 May 2018
Only moderates are truly capable of reforming Congress and unleashing bipartisan gridlock.

— elizabeth marie himchak, Pomerado News, "The 49th Congressional District has a crowded race," 16 May 2018
And that makes sense in a state that while reliably Republican on the presidential level since 2000 still shows a preference for pragmatic moderates on the state level.

— chris stirewalt, Fox News, "Fox News Power Rankings: A more competitive map," 14 May 2018
In the current debate following the Parkland shooting, there are many — including President Trump, gun-ownership advocates and even moderates in Congress — who believe so.

— peter mandel, miamiherald, "I am mentally ill. Why should my gun rights come with an asterisk? | Miami Herald," 14 Apr. 2018
The first vote laid bare divisions between liberals such as Warren and Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and moderates such as Manchin and Sens.

— erica werner, idahostatesman, "House-Senate standoff puts Mike Crapo’s big banking bill in peril | Idaho Statesman," 11 Apr. 2018
Because big-time journalism has completely lost the trust of Republicans and mostly lost the trust of moderates, the Newseum is a Pantheon of discredited, indeed largely reviled, gods.

— kyle smith, National Review, "The Idolatry of Journalism," 9 Feb. 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

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

medical Definition of moderate

moderate

medical Definition of moderate

moderation

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