Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

moderate

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of moderate

1 avoiding extremes in behavior or expression
  • a moderate coffee drinker
Synonyms of moderate

temperate
Words Related to moderate

controlled, curbed, disciplined, inhibited, restrained, self-controlled, self-denying, self-disciplined

calculated, deliberate, measured

levelheaded, rational, reasonable, sensible

average, mediocre, medium, modest, run-of-the-mill, so-so

normal, ordinary, regular, routine, typical, usual
Near Antonyms of moderate

excessive, extreme, inordinate, radical

irrational, unreasonable, unreasoning

extremist, fanatic (or fanatical), rabid

unbridled, unchecked, uncontrolled, unrestrained
Antonyms of moderate

immoderate, intemperate
2 avoiding major social change or extreme political ideas
  • The candidate attracts more moderate voters.
Synonyms of moderate

central, centrist, middle-of-the-road
Words Related to moderate

conventional, nonrevolutionary, orthodox, traditional

levelheaded, rational, reasonable, sensible

neutral
Near Antonyms of moderate

excessive

conservative, reactionary, rightist

leftist, liberal, progressive

fanatic (or fanatical), rabid, subversive, violent

agitating, exciting, fomenting, incendiary, inciting, inflammatory, instigating, provocative, provoking

rabble-rousing

dissenting
Antonyms of moderate

extremist, radical, revolutionary, revolutionist, ultra
3 being about midway between extremes of amount or size
  • A moderate snowfall was forecast for the region.
Synonyms of moderate

average, intermediate, mean, median, medium, middle, middling, midsize (also midsized), modest
Words Related to moderate

reasonable

common, commonplace, conventional, normal, popular, regular, routine, standard, typical, usual

adequate, passable, tolerable
Near Antonyms of moderate

excessive, extreme

exceptional, rare, strange, uncommon, unusual

distinctive, idiosyncratic, special, unique

individual, peculiar, private
4 marked by temperatures that are neither too high nor too low
  • a city that is celebrated for its moderate climate
Synonyms of moderate

balmy, clement, equable, genial, gentle, mild, soft, temperate
Words Related to moderate

clear, cloudless, fair, rainless, sunny, sunshiny

calm, halcyon, peaceful, placid, tranquil

delightful, fine, pleasant
Near Antonyms of moderate

blustering, blustery, breezy, gusty, rough, squally, stormy, windy

misty, rainy, showery

bleak, cloudy, dismal, foggy, gloomy, gray (also grey), hazy, overcast, sunless

bitter, dirty, foul, nasty, raw
Antonyms of moderate

harsh, inclement, intemperate, severe

moderate

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of moderate

a person who holds moderate views
  • Moderates from both sides of the aisle agreed on the plan.
Synonyms of moderate

centrist, middle-of-the-roader
Words Related to moderate

progressive, reformer

accommodationist, compromiser
Near Antonyms of moderate

conservative, reactionary, rightist, right-winger

leftist, left-winger, liberal
Antonyms of moderate

extremist, radical, revolutionary, revolutionist, ultraist

moderate

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of moderate

to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
  • The wind began to moderate as the night wore on.
Synonyms of moderate

abate, de-escalate, decline, decrease, die (away or down or out), diminish, drain (away), drop (off), dwindle, ease, ebb, fall, fall away, lessen, let up, lower, pall, phase down, ratchet (down) also rachet (down) , recede, relent, remit, shrink, subside, taper, taper off, wane
Words Related to moderate

compress, condense, constrict, contract

evaporate, fade (away), fritter (away), give out, melt (away), peter (out), tail (off), vanish

slacken, slow (down)

alleviate, relax

flag, sink, weaken

cave (in), collapse, deflate
Near Antonyms of moderate

appear, emerge, show up

blow up, distend, elongate, lengthen
Antonyms of moderate

accumulate, balloon, build, burgeon (also bourgeon), enlarge, escalate, expand, grow, increase, intensify, mount, mushroom, pick up, rise, snowball, soar, swell, wax

Learn More about moderate

  1. See words that rhyme with moderate Dictionary: Definition of moderate Medical Dictionary: Definition of moderate Spanish Central: Translation of moderate Nglish: Translation of moderate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of moderate for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up moderate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games