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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in average
being about midway between extremes of amount or size
a moderate snowfall was forecast for the region
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in mild
marked by temperatures that are neither too high nor too low
a city that is celebrated for its moderate climate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of moderate
Melina Khan, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2026
There is a moderate risk of rip currents along the Atlantic beaches.
—Lissette Gonzalez, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
Arkansas Online, 15 Jan. 2026
Unexpected absences of some Republicans from votes and bouts of resistance from both hard-liners and moderates, who have repeatedly bucked leadership and threatened to derail key bills, are another problem for Johnson.
—Sudiksha Kochi, The Hill, 13 Jan. 2026
Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 23 Jan. 2026
Comments Comments are moderated.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Adjective
According to the National Weather Service, moderate to heavy snow will continue to fall across the Northeast from Upstate New York to southern Maine throughout Monday morning.
—Melina Khan, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2026
There is a moderate risk of rip currents along the Atlantic beaches.
—Lissette Gonzalez, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026
Noun
Instead, the major political factions of the time--from the moderates to the communists to the Islamists to millions of everyday Iranians--put their trust in the mullahs to bring them a free Iran.
—Arkansas Online, 15 Jan. 2026
Unexpected absences of some Republicans from votes and bouts of resistance from both hard-liners and moderates, who have repeatedly bucked leadership and threatened to derail key bills, are another problem for Johnson.
—Sudiksha Kochi, The Hill, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
If only more houses were built, this wisdom states, prices would moderate.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 23 Jan. 2026
Comments Comments are moderated.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moderate
Adjective
-
After working up an appetite in the more temperate months, meals can be taken at the outdoor dining pavilion alongside the home.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
26 Jan. 2026
-
While potholes are most often associated with northern climates, those living in more-temperate regions can encounter them as well.—
Jim Gorzelany,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The investigation ratcheted up an extraordinary clash between the nation's top central banker and the White House, which has urged the Fed to significantly reduce interest rates.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Place has come to be central in my conception of my second novel.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Growth in services consumption outpacing goods expenditure largely reflects rising average income levels and would likely have occurred even without policy support, said Duncan Wrigley, chief China economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
-
As digital distractions, from texting, social media, breaking news, work, and more, increasingly encroach on our lives, our average attention span — the length of time a person is able to concentrate mentally on a specific activity — has shrunk.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Sleep disturbances While marijuana’s mild sedating and relaxing effects can sometimes help people who have difficulty falling asleep, experts say there are several important things to consider before using it as a sleep aid.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
These are some of the best places in the world to live in with mild winters, affordable cost of living, and great health care.—
Kathleen Peddicord,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Many Senate Democrats, including centrists who voted to reopen the government in November 2025, have come out against the DHS funding bill.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Jan. 2026
-
While Suozzi, a prominent centrist, expressed regret for his vote, other House Democrats who helped the bill pass out of the lower chamber have not, with some speaking out to justify their vote and others remaining silent for now.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The rise of cloud computing in the 2010s forced Cisco to decrease its reliance on hardware networking equipment.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
-
All dogs in the shelter are receiving antibiotics to significantly decrease their chances of developing symptoms, according to the news release.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
January 30,
Sacbee.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Rooms are furnished comfortably in the expected Southwestern decor, but avoid overdoing it thanks to restrained, contemporary hands.—
Asonta Benetti,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Jan. 2026
-
That restrained use of color and geometry feels emblematic of Milan, a city that prizes substance over flash.—
Laura Itzkowitz,
AFAR Media,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
His plan is for six townhouses to be leased at rates considered affordable for tenants earning just 60% of the area’s median income; another seven would be priced for people making up to 80% of that average.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The complex will serve families who earn under 80% of area median income.—
Theresa Clift,
Sacbee.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Moderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moderate. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
