Definition of immoderatenext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word immoderate different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of immoderate are excessive, exorbitant, extravagant, extreme, and inordinate. While all these words mean "going beyond a normal limit," immoderate implies lack of desirable or necessary restraint.

immoderate spending

When can excessive be used instead of immoderate?

In some situations, the words excessive and immoderate are roughly equivalent. However, excessive implies an amount or degree too great to be reasonable or acceptable.

excessive punishment

When is exorbitant a more appropriate choice than immoderate?

The synonyms exorbitant and immoderate are sometimes interchangeable, but exorbitant implies a departure from accepted standards regarding amount or degree.

exorbitant prices

Where would extravagant be a reasonable alternative to immoderate?

While the synonyms extravagant and immoderate are close in meaning, extravagant implies an indifference to restraints imposed by truth, prudence, or good taste.

extravagant claims for the product

When would extreme be a good substitute for immoderate?

The meanings of extreme and immoderate largely overlap; however, extreme may imply an approach to the farthest limit possible or conceivable but commonly means only to a notably high degree.

extreme shyness

In what contexts can inordinate take the place of immoderate?

The words inordinate and immoderate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inordinate implies an exceeding of the limits dictated by reason or good judgment.

inordinate pride

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of immoderate Her apartment is lined with charmingly immoderate stacks of books, and morning coffee steams in a Yaddo mug. Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026 Still, abandoning my life in New York City and committing to the incalculable unknowns of being the resident baker at the South Pole was immoderate, even for me. Cree Lefavour, New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2026 This was accentuated by their immoderate use of black, putting the accent on cut and proportion. Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 12 Dec. 2025 Adult death is always strangely humiliating but this was something more, conceptually distressing, theoretically immoderate, elaborately unkind. Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025 And drinking any type of alcohol in any type of immoderate way can bring more than a shot of risks. Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024 That would have put the celebration on Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, a day traditionally marked by a big pancake supper and other immoderate and extravagant indulgences on the night before fasting and sobriety take over for Lent. Ruth Graham, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2024 The meat is juicy, salty and a little stringy, with a thick, craggy crust laced with an immoderate amount of black pepper. Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2024 Haley’s gift is to come across as a moderate while espousing immoderate views and surrounding herself with extremists. Sue Halpern, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for immoderate
Adjective
  • Last month, six women interviewed by the Times described concerning behavior by Platner, including excessive drinking, infidelity, and, in one account, physical intimidation.
    Allison Gordon, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Black residents of the city have expressed fear of harassment and concerns about trading high crime for excessive policing.
    Suzanne Gamboa, NBC news, 6 July 2026
Adjective
  • In his view, that defiance forced the GOP to take extreme measures and go it alone.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 12 July 2026
  • Still, many labor for long hours in extreme heat without shade, without reliable access to clean water, and without the basic protections most Floridians take for granted.
    Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2026
Adjective
  • For Holland, Buffett, and Musk, accumulating wealth hasn’t necessarily translated into extravagant spending.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 7 July 2026
  • Northland through my eyes Kansas City’s time in the limelight hosting World Cup matches and extravagant watch parties is quickly approaching its end.
    Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026
Adjective
  • That marks a steep decline of 74% from the movie's already-poor $37 million debut, a much bigger drop than is typical for a summer superhero film.
    Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • In the tourney, Zellers had five goals and three assists in five games and made a steep climb up the depth chart.
    Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 5 July 2026
Adjective
  • England’s 2-1 victory against Mexico — and that insane Azteca Stadium crowd — also was richly deserved.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026
  • Allowing Trump to declare insane levels of tariffs would have been really bad for the economy and bad for Republicans.
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 6 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Immoderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/immoderate. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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