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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of moderate
Brittany Poulson, Verywell Health, 10 Mar. 2026
The attacks on the UAE have also resulted in 122 minor to moderate injuries, the ministry said.
—Rebecca Shabad, NBC news, 10 Mar. 2026
Eric Lob, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2026
Among moderates, whom election analysts consider a key voting bloc, about 80% favor a path to citizenship over deportation.
—Julián Aguilar, Houston Chronicle, 2 Mar. 2026
Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2026
Investors worry that a spike in energy prices could lead to higher inflation at a time when price gains seemed to have been slowly moderating.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Adjective
Greek yogurt with berries usually leads to a steady, moderate rise in blood sugar rather than a sharp spike.
—Brittany Poulson, Verywell Health, 10 Mar. 2026
The attacks on the UAE have also resulted in 122 minor to moderate injuries, the ministry said.
—Rebecca Shabad, NBC news, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
This was particularly the case with moderates and reformists, who tended to oppose the supreme leader on various issues.
—Eric Lob, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2026
Among moderates, whom election analysts consider a key voting bloc, about 80% favor a path to citizenship over deportation.
—Julián Aguilar, Houston Chronicle, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
The two-episode screening will be followed by a panel discussion with Glatzer, Mingacci, Forbes and cast members Magnussen, Punch, Helberg, Corddry, Rath and Adelstein, moderated by journalist Kara Swisher.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2026
Investors worry that a spike in energy prices could lead to higher inflation at a time when price gains seemed to have been slowly moderating.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moderate
Adjective
-
The family live in the temperate coastal city of Newcastle, which is 1,200 miles south of Australia's crocodile habitat in the tropical north.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
-
With warm temperatures in the summer that remain temperate through the winter, there’s never a bad time to visit Biloxi.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Another union still in negotiations is Associated Administrators of Los Angeles, which represents principals, other school administrators, many middle managers and some central-office workers.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
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The 2nd District stretches from the central part of the state west to the Mississippi River and is considered a Democratic stronghold, setting Thompson up to win his 18th congressional term.—
JEFF AMY AND SOPHIE BATES THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Cowboys will be hoping for a turnaround for a defense that was the only unit in the NFL to yield an average 30 or more points per game.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2026
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Russia's daily revenue from oil sales during the Iran conflict, which has brought a sharp increase in the price of crude, has been on average 14% higher than in February, according to the nonprofit Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.—
HANNA ARHIROVA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Pringles come in a Carolina blue hue and feature a mild but delicious spice inspired by Carolina pulled pork barbecue.—
Molly Burford,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Virginia Beach, Virginia More than 30 miles of coastline, scenic walking trails, and a mild climate make Virginia Beach an attractive city for retirees.—
Patricia Doherty,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The centrist Nepali Congress led by 49-year-old Gagan Thapa, the country’s oldest party, was leading in five seats.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
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House Democrats are facing an internal split, with centrists who are circulating an alternative plan while remaining noncommittal or opposed to their leaders’ war powers measure.—
Nicholas Wu,
semafor.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The biodiversity also decreased by 32 percent.—
Lauren Sommer,
NPR,
13 Mar. 2026
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The closure is part of the North Aurora Road Improvement Project, an intergovernmental construction project being done by Naperville Township, the cities of Naperville and Aurora to improve pedestrian and bicycle access and decrease traffic congestion and crashes in the area.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Downstairs, Bar Calico has a more restrained vibe.—
Wilder Davies,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Refined, deliberate, restrained.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The northern Oklahoma City town also received high marks for the below-average housing costs at $345,581 and the above-average median household income.—
Josh Kelly,
Oklahoman,
13 Mar. 2026
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That’s bad news for prospective homeowners in Denver, where the median home price is nearly seven times the median household income.—
M. Nolan Gray,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Moderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moderate. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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