1
as in meekness
the absence of any feelings of being better than others
his natural modesty makes him reluctant to run for public office
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in purity
the quality or state of being morally pure
in this day and age, that's very becoming modesty in a teenager
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of modesty
Much of what makes his essay convincing is its intellectual modesty, its readiness to say that trying to derive confident predictions of the future from the chaos of what is happening on the streets and in government offices is folly.
—
David Remnick, New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2026
The secret to Buford’s longevity Buford expressed modesty about his service in World War II.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 25 Dec. 2025
Putting modesty aside for a moment, what were your proudest achievements of year 2025?
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 15 Dec. 2025
Like Howard Hawks, John Ford, and other masters of the classical studio era, his style was often invisible, but his modesty cloaked the intense engagement of a true artist.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for modesty
David Remnick, New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2026
The secret to Buford’s longevity Buford expressed modesty about his service in World War II.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 25 Dec. 2025
Putting modesty aside for a moment, what were your proudest achievements of year 2025?
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 15 Dec. 2025
Like Howard Hawks, John Ford, and other masters of the classical studio era, his style was often invisible, but his modesty cloaked the intense engagement of a true artist.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for modesty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modesty
Noun
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Such meekness is understandable from him.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Feb. 2026
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Likewise, meekness once meant not becoming weak, but subjugating power to reason – not letting anger take control.—
Timothy J. Pawl,
The Conversation,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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On the other hand, gold bars that aren't from certified refiners may be harder to sell and could require assay testing to verify their purity.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
25 Feb. 2026
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These factors create wines with vibrant acidity, intense aromatics and exceptional varietal purity, according to the Cihlars.—
Michael Johnson,
Twin Cities,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Birthday celebrations in subsequent years seem hardly to have been calculated to kindle a sense of humility.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
21 Feb. 2026
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Seeing the world through the eyes of the dead takes humility and courage.—
Carol Quillen,
Time,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Historically, most people compensated under the Tim Cole Act were either declared actually innocent by the Court of Criminal Appeals or pardoned on the basis of innocence.—
Tony Plohetski,
Austin American Statesman,
23 Feb. 2026
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Dotson eventually was cleared of his conviction altogether after DNA evidence proved his innocence, and Lupel’s representation of Dotson made Lupel a prominent figure locally and nationally as courts and Illinois’ governor weighed Dotson’s fate.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The humbleness comes from the fact that Mendoza wasn’t supposed to be here.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
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And well done Connor Storrie for acknowledging her response with kindness and humbleness.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Modesty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modesty. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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