mod·er·ate
ˈmä-d(ə-)rət 
1
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
Carl Van Doren3
: 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
moderateness
noun
mod·er·ate
ˈmä-də-ˌrāt
moderated; moderating
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
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
mod·er·ate
ˈmä-d(ə-)rət
: one who holds moderate views or who belongs to a group favoring a moderate course or program
Synonyms
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
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Recent Examples on the WebJason Samenow, Washington Post, 23 Sep. 2023
Ramaswamy’s plan makes DeSantis look like a raging moderate by comparison.
—Norman J. Ornstein, The New Republic, 22 Sep. 2023
In the primary’s final stretch, her opponents cast her as the second coming of Mr. Bloomberg, a moderate at a moment that demanded something more radical.
—Eliza Shapiro, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2023
However, the two sides were unable to reach an agreement on the demands, and gradually the militant element within the Sikh leadership outmaneuvered the more moderate members, leading to polarization between the Indian government and the militants.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2023
Oral Pain Medications : In some cases, oral pain medications like acetaminophen or oral NSAIDs may be prescribed to manage moderate to severe pain.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 20 Sep. 2023
On average, people who performed moderate to vigorous exercise in the morning were more than a decade older than those who exercised later in the day.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 19 Sep. 2023
Three sustained minor injuries and one sustained moderate injuries.
—Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 15 Sep. 2023
Read full article The risk is moderate in Auburn, Charlton, Grafton, Millbury, and Northbridge.
—Maeve Lawler, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Sep. 2023
Courtney Subramanian, Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2023
Fox News Media's Stuart Varney and Dana Perino and Univision's Ilia Calderón will moderate the debate.
—Sarah Beth Hensley, ABC News, 22 Sep. 2023
For the 10th year in a row, it will be presented by The Hollywood Reporter and moderated by yours truly.
—Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Sep. 2023
Fox Business, along with Univision, will moderate the second debate, and the conservative online video platform Rumble will also stream it.
—Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2023
Later on was a discussion on self-expression– moderated by ESSENCE’s Senior Beauty Editor, Akili King– with Saucy Santana, Evan Mock and Jony Sios.
—Akili King, Essence, 18 Sep. 2023
Most recently, Baier was entrusted with moderating the primary Republican debate last month alongside Martha MacCallum.
—Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner, 14 Sep. 2023
During the conversation, moderated by PEOPLE's Senior Editor Breanne Heldman, the cast spoke kindly about White, 46, despite past public disagreements.
—Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 16 Sep. 2023
All four members of Talking Heads were there, appearing together for the first time in 21 years for a Q&A moderated by Spike Lee.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2023
Steve Peoples, Chicago Tribune, 16 Sep. 2023
Such opportunities look fewer in the coming years, as many of those same moderates are leaving office, and Romney views with distaste a Trump-Biden election rematch.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Sep. 2023
Virginia Republicans must hold the House and flip the Senate to preserve the very thing that launched Youngkin to national prominence: his reputation for energizing MAGA voters without alienating suburban moderates.
—Maeve Reston, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2023
Nearly three-quarters identify as moderates or liberals.
—Nate Cohn, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2023
Rappaport Clark, who headed the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under President Bill Clinton, said there were still enough GOP moderates to help Democrats fend off sweeping changes sought by hardline congressional Republicans.
—John Flesher, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Aug. 2023
Rappaport Clark, who headed the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under President Bill Clinton, said there were enough GOP moderates then to help Democrats thwart sweeping changes sought by hardline congressional Republicans.
—John Flesher, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2023
Unlike their forebears of 1789, the moderates had a model on which to base their assumptions about how the revolution was supposed to turn out.
—James Robins, The New Republic, 8 Aug. 2023
But even some Republicans, largely moderates who have rejected Trumpism, note the tenor of the campaign rhetoric has reached new and conspiratorial levels.
—Jennifer Medina, New York Times, 7 Aug. 2023
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Adjective
Periods of moderate to heavy rain may continue, even into the pre-dawn, but should be tapering toward sunrise.
—Jason Samenow, Washington Post, 23 Sep. 2023
Ramaswamy’s plan makes DeSantis look like a raging moderate by comparison.
—Norman J. Ornstein, The New Republic, 22 Sep. 2023
In the primary’s final stretch, her opponents cast her as the second coming of Mr. Bloomberg, a moderate at a moment that demanded something more radical.
—Eliza Shapiro, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2023
However, the two sides were unable to reach an agreement on the demands, and gradually the militant element within the Sikh leadership outmaneuvered the more moderate members, leading to polarization between the Indian government and the militants.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2023
Oral Pain Medications : In some cases, oral pain medications like acetaminophen or oral NSAIDs may be prescribed to manage moderate to severe pain.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 20 Sep. 2023
On average, people who performed moderate to vigorous exercise in the morning were more than a decade older than those who exercised later in the day.
—Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 19 Sep. 2023
Three sustained minor injuries and one sustained moderate injuries.
—Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 15 Sep. 2023
Read full article The risk is moderate in Auburn, Charlton, Grafton, Millbury, and Northbridge.
—Maeve Lawler, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Sep. 2023
Verb
Fox Business and Univision will moderate the two-hour debate, and conservative online video platform Rumble will stream the event.
—Courtney Subramanian, Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2023
Fox News Media's Stuart Varney and Dana Perino and Univision's Ilia Calderón will moderate the debate.
—Sarah Beth Hensley, ABC News, 22 Sep. 2023
For the 10th year in a row, it will be presented by The Hollywood Reporter and moderated by yours truly.
—Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Sep. 2023
Fox Business, along with Univision, will moderate the second debate, and the conservative online video platform Rumble will also stream it.
—Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2023
Later on was a discussion on self-expression– moderated by ESSENCE’s Senior Beauty Editor, Akili King– with Saucy Santana, Evan Mock and Jony Sios.
—Akili King, Essence, 18 Sep. 2023
Most recently, Baier was entrusted with moderating the primary Republican debate last month alongside Martha MacCallum.
—Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner, 14 Sep. 2023
During the conversation, moderated by PEOPLE's Senior Editor Breanne Heldman, the cast spoke kindly about White, 46, despite past public disagreements.
—Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 16 Sep. 2023
All four members of Talking Heads were there, appearing together for the first time in 21 years for a Q&A moderated by Spike Lee.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2023
Noun
The evolving dynamic between Iowa and New Hampshire underscores a growing tension within a Republican Party that must ultimately appeal to both its hardline conservative base and moderates and independents who play an outsized role in the general election.
—Steve Peoples, Chicago Tribune, 16 Sep. 2023
Such opportunities look fewer in the coming years, as many of those same moderates are leaving office, and Romney views with distaste a Trump-Biden election rematch.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Sep. 2023
Virginia Republicans must hold the House and flip the Senate to preserve the very thing that launched Youngkin to national prominence: his reputation for energizing MAGA voters without alienating suburban moderates.
—Maeve Reston, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2023
Nearly three-quarters identify as moderates or liberals.
—Nate Cohn, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2023
Rappaport Clark, who headed the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under President Bill Clinton, said there were still enough GOP moderates to help Democrats fend off sweeping changes sought by hardline congressional Republicans.
—John Flesher, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Aug. 2023
Rappaport Clark, who headed the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under President Bill Clinton, said there were enough GOP moderates then to help Democrats thwart sweeping changes sought by hardline congressional Republicans.
—John Flesher, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2023
Unlike their forebears of 1789, the moderates had a model on which to base their assumptions about how the revolution was supposed to turn out.
—James Robins, The New Republic, 8 Aug. 2023
But even some Republicans, largely moderates who have rejected Trumpism, note the tenor of the campaign rhetoric has reached new and conspiratorial levels.
—Jennifer Medina, New York Times, 7 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'moderate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective, Verb, and Noun
Middle English, from Latin moderatus, from past participle of moderare to moderate; akin to Latin modus measure
First Known Use
Adjective
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun
1648, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of moderate was
in the 15th century
Phrases Containing moderate
Dictionary Entries Near moderate
Cite this Entry
“Moderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moderate. Accessed 27 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
moderate
1 of 3 adjective
mod·er·ate
ˈmäd-(ə-)rət
1
a
: avoiding or lacking extremes (as in behavior or temperature)
a moderate eater
moderate climates
b
: calm entry 3 sense 2, reasonable
moderate demands
2
a
: neither very much nor very little : average in size or amount
a moderate rain
b
: neither very good nor very bad
met with only moderate success
3
: opposed to major social change or extreme political ideas
a moderate candidate
4
: not expensive : reasonable or low in price
moderate rates
moderately
adverb
moderateness
noun
moderate
2 of 3 verb
mod·er·ate
ˈmäd-ə-ˌrāt
moderated; moderating
1
: to make or become less violent, severe, or intense
2
: to guide a discussion or act as chairperson of a meeting
moderate
3 of 3 noun
mod·er·ate
ˈmäd-(ə-)rət
: one who holds moderate views or belongs to a moderate group (as in politics)
Medical Definition
moderate
1 of 2 adjective
mod·er·ate
ˈmäd-(ə-)rət
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.
Timothy Melester et al.moderate developmental disabilities
moderate
2 of 2 transitive verb
mod·er·ate
ˈmäd-ə-ˌrāt
moderated; moderating
: to reduce the speed or energy of (neutrons)
More from Merriam-Webster on moderate
Nglish: Translation of moderate for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of moderate for Arabic Speakers
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