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
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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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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
Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 13 May 2025
Almost a decade ago, for example, research at my institution and others found in a study of 6,500 women ages 63 to 99 that just 30 minutes of low to moderate physical activity was enough to significantly boost their health.
—Jean Wactawski-Wende, The Conversation, 2 May 2025
German Lopez, New York Times, 15 May 2025
His veer to the far left, alienating moderates and independents, has exposed the fragility of his national appeal.
—Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025
Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
Enhances the overall flavor of your items, while helping to moderate the reaction of the baking powder.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Adjective
Councilor Ed Flynn, a moderate Democrat, disagrees.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 13 May 2025
Almost a decade ago, for example, research at my institution and others found in a study of 6,500 women ages 63 to 99 that just 30 minutes of low to moderate physical activity was enough to significantly boost their health.
—Jean Wactawski-Wende, The Conversation, 2 May 2025
Noun
But moderates and populists on the right argue that the bill already cuts too much.
—German Lopez, New York Times, 15 May 2025
His veer to the far left, alienating moderates and independents, has exposed the fragility of his national appeal.
—Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025
Verb
To celebrate the occasion, Cruise took the stage at BFI Southbank for a conversation moderated by DJ and presenter Edith Bowman.
—Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
Enhances the overall flavor of your items, while helping to moderate the reaction of the baking powder.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moderate
Adjective
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Spanish canals operated in a temperate climate and were managed by individual farmers who could maintain or increase their water flow.—
Ari Caramanica,
The Conversation,
8 Apr. 2025
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In fact, the more temperate weather can be the best time to snuggle up outside, sit by a fire pit, and enjoy a new piece of outdoor furniture.—
Shea Simmons,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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Achieving social control is a central theme of China's AGI pursuit.—
Didi Kirsten Tatlow,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 May 2025
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One of these, Tycho crater, will make for an excellent telescope target at this time, as a lip of the 53-mile-wide (85 km) distinctive central impact peak casts strong shadows over the interior of the depression.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
19 May 2025
Adjective
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On average, female participants took about 4.5 bites to finish their pizza slice, while men took just 2.1 bites. Number of chews.—
Brian Mastroianni,
Health,
23 May 2025
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How to build credit as an authorized user on a credit card What is the average credit score in the U.S.?—
Jackie Charniga,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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Other forces besides tariffs also may have contributed to mild inflation last month.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
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At that point, Shipley and two deputies flew to Miami to meet with Bezos and Lewis; the paper’s endorsement wasn’t on the agenda, but Bezos expressed mild curiosity about why the paper needed to endorse a candidate at all.—
Clare Malone,
New Yorker,
12 May 2025
Noun
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Vatican experts have considered Leo XIV more of a centrist than his liberal-leaning predecessor, but also mirrors Pope Francis’ championing of the poor.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
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Still, Europe’s centrists will take reassurance from Mr. Carney’s victory in Canada, and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s convincing reelection last weekend.—
Ned Temko,
Christian Science Monitor,
8 May 2025
Verb
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Iron Ore production decreased by 4.5% to 67.7 million metric tons due to heavy rainfall in Brazil.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
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Although the unsheltered population in the city of L.A. decreased last year from 32,680 to 29,275, and is projected to decline again this year, residents and business owners continue to express frustration with the city’s handling of the homelessness crisis.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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In 2024, China's approach to U.S. tariffs remained relatively restrained.—
Kate Nalepinski,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 May 2025
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Maybe this will be a rare case of restrained longing.—
Laura Bradley,
Vulture,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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County appraisers valued the properties at around $742 million; the median home in the portfolio is worth $268,000.—
Jaime Moore-Carrillo,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 May 2025
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As the Times notes, median lunch prices are only around $3.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
12 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Moderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moderate. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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