1
as in temperate
avoiding extremes in behavior or expression
he was only a moderate drinker, generally stopping after a couple of glasses of wine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in central
avoiding major social change or extreme political ideas
the principal's moderate position on cell phones is that students can use them at school but only for emergencies
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3
as in average
being about midway between extremes of amount or size
a moderate snowfall was forecast for the region
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4
as in mild
marked by temperatures that are neither too high nor too low
a city that is celebrated for its moderate climate
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as in centrist
a person who holds moderate views
to the community's detriment, moderates were often shouted down at town meetings by the local hotheads
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to decrease
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
the wind began to moderate as the night wore on
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of moderate
Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
Some moderate Democrats representing New York's suburbs have criticized him and declined to back his campaign.
—Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 28 June 2025
Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 29 May 2025
The three ultra moderates also voiced alarm at their colleagues’ decision to scale back the mayor’s plan for increasing hiring at the fire department.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025
Okla Jones, Essence, 25 June 2025
The final session, moderated by executive editor of international Elsa Keslassy, was about innovating for the future.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Adjective
Trump’s ramping up of immigration enforcement and subsequent deployment of the California National Guard and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles has prompted the city’s progressive and moderate Democratic politicians to band together and set aside their differences.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
Some moderate Democrats representing New York's suburbs have criticized him and declined to back his campaign.
—Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 28 June 2025
Noun
Deeper cuts would have likely lost the votes of key moderates.
—Rebecca Morin, USA Today, 29 May 2025
The three ultra moderates also voiced alarm at their colleagues’ decision to scale back the mayor’s plan for increasing hiring at the fire department.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025
Verb
One of the weekend’s major highlights includes a live NPR Tiny Desk conversation with Maxwell, moderated by producer Bobby Carter.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 25 June 2025
The final session, moderated by executive editor of international Elsa Keslassy, was about innovating for the future.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moderate
Adjective
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Today, these ants primarily live in undisturbed and temperate eastern North American forests.—
Lauren Thomann,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 May 2025
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Best Time to Visit Locals know the fall and winter tend to be the best times to visit St. George Island for temperate weather, smaller crowds, and lower humidity.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
6 May 2025
Adjective
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For instance, concerns around data privacy, system reliability and fraud prevention have always been central to banking operations.—
Stuart Mackinnon,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
-
The ministry emphasized the urgent need for peace and stability in the Middle East, and reiterated that the Palestinian issue remains central to resolving broader regional tensions.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
The ground in south Florida has been, on average, 81.8 per cent full during its six games hosted so far.—
Will Jeanes,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
-
After the regime's move in late 2023 to raise official wages tenfold, the average worker now earns about 30,000 North Korean won—less than $4—per month, analysts say.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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After the Animal Kingdom star shaved his head for another role, Williamson had a mild freakout.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
29 June 2025
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Their grass-like hollow leaves have a mild onion flavor and are common in salads and dips.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
29 June 2025
Noun
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The situation has become serious enough that the push for Ocasio-Cortez to challenge Schumer now has support from both centrists and progressives, according to CNN.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
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Cuomo is campaigning as a centrist, while Mamdani is more progressive.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
24 June 2025
Verb
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The three main causes of hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
25 June 2025
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The top three contributors to hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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Some of those more restrained alternatives would demand less of the U.S. military and thus cost far less, too.—
JENNIFER LIND,
Foreign Affairs,
24 June 2025
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Markets also rose on Monday after Iran’s restrained response to the U.S. strike against Iran over the weekend.—
Leo Schwartz,
Fortune,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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This is low joblessness as the median monthly local jobless rate since 2010 is 5.8%.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
28 June 2025
-
Nearly all families would qualify to receive scholarships except those making more than three times their area's median income.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Moderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moderate. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
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