moderate

adjective

mod·er·ate | \ ˈmä-d(ə-)rət

Definition of moderate

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : 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.

2a : 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

moderate

verb

mod·er·ate | \ ˈmä-də-ˌrāt

moderated; moderating

Definition of moderate (Entry 2 of 3)

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

moderate

noun

mod·er·ate | \ ˈmä-d(ə-)rət

Definition of moderate (Entry 3 of 3)

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

Other Words from moderate Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about moderate

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Other Words from moderate

Adjective

moderately adverb

moderateness noun

Verb

moderation \ ˌmä-də-ˈrā-shən

\ noun

Examples of moderate in a Sentence

Adjective

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.

Verb

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.

Noun

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 on the Web: Adjective

Grycan said both the driver and the passenger in the vehicle had to be extracted from the vehicle before being air-lifted to Huntington Hospital, where they were treated for minor to moderate injuries. — Sara Cardine, latimes.com, "Driver, passenger airlifted to hospital after vehicle drives off Angeles Crest Highway," 11 July 2019 The tweet likened the more moderate Democrats to segregationists. — Grace Segers, CBS News, "Nancy Pelosi shuts down questions about disagreements with freshmen Dems," 11 July 2019 Gray, 68, defeated the more moderate Nohe in the GOP primary. — Antonio Olivo, Washington Post, "With Corey Stewart leaving politics, Prince William County’s political future is up for grabs," 6 July 2019 Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry announced Friday that Adams had been charged with two counts of felony battery resulting in moderate injury as well as misdemeanor battery resulting in bodily injury, battery and disorderly conduct. — Grace Schneider, The Courier-Journal, "Judge charged in White Castle fight is healing, preparing for legal battle," 1 July 2019 The shift is raising questions about whether the more moderate Mr. Biden is a good fit for a party in which much of the policy agenda driving the primary is coming from activists and candidates on the left. — John Mccormick, WSJ, "Taking on Biden, Kamala Harris Makes Her Mark," 28 June 2019 Several of the candidates on the stage have refused to support Medicare for All, including Amy Klobuchar, the moderate senator from Minnesota; John Delaney, the former Maryland congressman; and O’Rourke. — John Cassidy, The New Yorker, "The First Democratic Debate Shuns Donald Trump in Favor of Substance," 27 June 2019 The man in the parked vehicle was transported to a trauma center with moderate injuries. — Lauren Hernández, SFChronicle.com, "Driver dies in high-speed crash in Oakley," 23 June 2019 Esquivel was charged with domestic battery by means of a deadly weapon, a level 5 felony; domestic battery resulting in moderate bodily injury, a level 6 felony; criminal recklessness, a level 6 felony; and domestic battery, a Class A misdemeanor. — Michelle L. Quinn, chicagotribune.com, "Woman faces charges after Dyer incident," 17 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

On these occasions, there will typically be a note at the beginning of the comment thread to explain why the conversation is being pre-moderated. — Los Angeles Times, "Commenting guidelines," 16 July 2019 The Samson Pavilion has an overall visual coolness, but that’s moderated by wood casework and attractive and comfortable furniture, including chairs and worktables in oiled white oak, designed by Foster’s office. — Steven Litt, cleveland.com, "Is CWRU-Clinic Health Education Campus just another big shiny box at a sprawling medical center? - Steven Litt," 14 July 2019 GIF Log in with or sign up with Disqus or pick a name Disqus is a discussion network Disqus never moderates or censors. — Tony Saavedra, The Mercury News, "Fullerton police release video of officer shooting 17-year-old girl," 12 July 2019 While financing costs have moderated, home prices have continued to rise. — Steve Brown, Dallas News, "North Texas home market gave up its gains in June," 8 July 2019 The event was moderated by Shady Grove Oliver, a reporter for The Arctic Sounder, the local newspaper. — Anchorage Daily News, "Discussing Alaska’s history of sexual violence is one step toward seeking solutions," 11 June 2019 The event was moderated by Shady Grove Oliver, a reporter for The Arctic Sounder, the local newspaper. — Beena Raghavendran, ProPublica, "Discussing Alaska’s Long History of Sexual Violence Is One Step Toward Seeking Solutions," 10 June 2019 It was moderated by journalist Daniel Denvir and broadcast live on Facebook. — Chris Palmer, Philly.com, "Philly DA Larry Krasner, Bernie Sanders sit side-by-side for first time," 4 May 2018 The debate will be moderated by AL.com columnist and Director of Content Development, Roy Johnson. — Howard Koplowitz, AL.com, "Reckon by AL.com to host Democratic gubernatorial debate," 24 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Both Texans have a record of working with moderates and Republicans. — Gromer Jeffers Jr., Dallas News, "3 things Beto O'Rourke and Julián Castro must do to shine during Democratic debate," 26 June 2019 From 1979 to 1990, a battle raged in the Southern Baptist Convention between moderates and biblical inerrantists. — al.com, "Cooperative Baptists, ‘different kind of Baptist,’ meet at BJCC," 21 June 2019 Sanders is beloved by Trump supporters and a star in conservative media circles, but is far less popular with moderates and Democrats who have decried her combative attitude toward the media. — Jeremy Barr, The Hollywood Reporter, "Will Sarah Huckabee Sanders End Up on Television?," 14 June 2019 There is division in the field between moderates and progressives. — Caitlin Conant, CBS News, "2020 Daily Trail Markers: Sanders' speech sparks debate on democratic socialism," 12 June 2019 John Walsh’s campaign has argued the former U.S. attorney can win over moderates with his prosecutorial past. — Nic Garcia, The Denver Post, "The Spot: The inside scoop on first gentleman Marlon Reis, reinsurance program moves forward, and who is the most electable in the 2020 Senate race?," 13 June 2019 Eddy said the group gives moderates and other disaffected Republicans a refuge. — Phillip M. Bailey, The Courier-Journal, "Fed up with Matt Bevin, a Kentucky Republican starts a GOP for Beshear Facebook group," 13 June 2019 But his rising power over the intelligence community has been accompanied by swelling disillusionment with Barr among former national security officials and ideological moderates. — Katie Benner, BostonGlobe.com, "People are trying to figure out William Barr. He’s busy wielding power," 9 June 2019 Both have attracted praise from Conservative moderates and from people outside the party, who are sick of Brexit and want to avoid no deal almost as much at the EU does. — Luke Mcgee, CNN, "Theresa May's days are ending but the Brexit fantasy lives on," 7 June 2019

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.

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Last Updated

18 Jul 2019

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The first known use of moderate was in the 15th century

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More Definitions for moderate

moderate

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of moderate

(Entry 1 of 3)

: 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

English Language Learners Definition of moderate (Entry 2 of 3)

: 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

English Language Learners Definition of moderate (Entry 3 of 3)

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

See the full definition for moderate in the English Language Learners Dictionary

moderate

adjective

mod·er·ate | \ ˈmä-də-rət

Kids Definition of moderate

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

moderate

verb

mod·er·ate | \ ˈmä-də-ˌrāt

moderated; moderating

Kids Definition of moderate (Entry 2 of 2)

: to make or become less extreme or severe

moderate

adjective

mod·er·ate | \ ˈmäd-(ə-)rət

Medical Definition of moderate

(Entry 1 of 2)

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