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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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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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
Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 4 June 2025
More rain is expected this evening, according to the NWS, with some thunderstorms potentially producing moderate to heavy rainfall.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
Christina Wilkie,erin Doherty, CNBC, 21 May 2025
Conservatives were also less likely than moderates and liberals to consult astrology for guidance, the survey found.
—Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
The Learning Network, New York Times, 29 May 2025
Upbeat quarterly earnings results from tech giants such Meta Platforms and Microsoft in late April further reignited optimism in the AI trade because the companies showed no signs of moderating their capital expenditure plans.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Adjective
The police officer and Dodge passengers had minor to moderate injuries, and the Nissan occupants had severe injuries, according to the state patrol.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 4 June 2025
More rain is expected this evening, according to the NWS, with some thunderstorms potentially producing moderate to heavy rainfall.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
Noun
The 8-4 vote to proceed out of committee was a victory for Republican leaders, who had spent the day making last-minute changes to the more than 1,000-page bill in an effort to win over both moderates and hardline conservatives.
—Christina Wilkie,erin Doherty, CNBC, 21 May 2025
Conservatives were also less likely than moderates and liberals to consult astrology for guidance, the survey found.
—Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
Verb
All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff.
—The Learning Network, New York Times, 29 May 2025
Upbeat quarterly earnings results from tech giants such Meta Platforms and Microsoft in late April further reignited optimism in the AI trade because the companies showed no signs of moderating their capital expenditure plans.
—Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 28 May 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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The incident's central command constantly receives progress reports from firefighters on the ground.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2025
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Kansas City Public Libraries will share the history of how African Americans in Kansas City pursued freedom at the central library with local historian Erik Stafford on June 22.—
Zuri Primos,
Kansas City Star,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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Five holes played to an average score under par for the day, including the gettable stretch of Nos. 4-6.—
Justin Ray,
New York Times,
15 June 2025
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His ratings have been profitable 69% of the time, delivering an average return of 29.6%.—
TipRanks.com Staff,
CNBC,
15 June 2025
Adjective
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This treatment is mild and can be done daily.1 Doing this routine at night can give the vitamins and minerals a chance to affect skin tone.2 8.—
Heather Jones,
Verywell Health,
16 June 2025
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Best Time to Visit According to Wicker, early fall is the best time to visit; the weather is mild—expect temperatures between the mid-60s and low 80s—the beaches are less crowded, and there are still plenty of opportunities to fish, kiteboard, and gather around a beach bonfire.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
16 June 2025
Noun
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Still, there could be a lane for a business-friendly centrist running California’s sclerotic political system.—
Julia Wick,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2025
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Coming only two weeks after a presidential election in Romania in which voters chose a centrist over a hard-right admirer of President Trump, Poland’s vote is being closely watched in Europe and the United States as a test of right-wing populism’s staying power.—
Andrew Higgins,
New York Times,
31 May 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,
14 June 2025
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Several people are still unaccounted for, but the number of missing people has slowly decreased, a San Antonio Fire Department spokesperson confirmed to PEOPLE.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
14 June 2025
Adjective
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Lemon The little black dress of garnishes, at once flirty and restrained.—
Amiel Stanek,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
16 June 2025
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With two monochrome takes on intricate guilloché work the new dial designs come across as more restrained, even with baguette-cut indices.—
Thor Svaboe,
Robb Report,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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The growth in median car payments is outpacing both new and used car prices, according to separate data from Bank of America.—
Jessica Dickler,
CNBC,
16 June 2025
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On the west side, the median sale price is $461,000.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
16 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Moderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moderate. Accessed 22 Jun. 2025.
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