as in centrists
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in decreases
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 moderates
Bruce Sibley, Time, 29 May 2026
Lastly, the report did absolutely nothing to soothe the battle between progressives and moderates.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
Luke Bronin is supported by The Bench and Majority Democrats – both PACs that are funneling millions of dollars to boost corporate-friendly moderates.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 27 May 2026
Her commission imposed a ban on noncompete clauses, a measure used by firms to prevent employees from leaving their jobs that has drawn bitter condemnation from libertarians and moderates as well as neo-Brandeisians.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 26 May 2026
In the North, the Republicans were split between moderates and radicals, while the Democrats were split between loyal Unionists and conservatives who preferred peace to a bloody war that pivoted on abolition.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026
Our results suggest that a growing number of them – especially moderates, African Americans and young people – are experiencing voter’s remorse.
—Tatishe Nteta, Fortune, 16 May 2026
Our results suggest that a growing number of them – especially moderates, African Americans and young people – are experiencing voter’s remorse.
—Adam Eichen, The Conversation, 14 May 2026
However, a recent April poll from Texas Public Opinion Research has the governor's race within five points, 48% to 43%, with Hinojosa scoring high among independents, moderates, Black voters, Latino voters and young voters.
—Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Scott L. Montgomery, The Conversation, 23 Mar. 2026
There’s a lot of science behind this practice, but to put it simply, baking in a water bath regulates and moderates the temperature of the baked good, encouraging an even bake.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026
The former is processed slowly and moderates blood sugar.
—ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
The Digital Services Act primarily moderates the content on online platforms to prioritize user safety, while the Digital Markets Act aims to prevent Big Tech companies from abusing their market dominance.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 28 Dec. 2025
Their answer is a framework that moderates collective impulses while preserving the rights of individuals and minorities.
—Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 26 Nov. 2025
During the second panel of the Pillars of the Green Transition event on September 24, 2025, Newsweek editor Jeff Young moderates a discussion with HowGood CEO Alex Gillett, Climate Group CEO Helen Clarkson, Elopak CEO Thomas Körmendi and Arva CRO Phil Harris.
—Lauren Giella, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
And voters reinforce the cycle, rewarding the most partisan candidates and punishing moderates in primary after primary.
—Bruce Sibley, Time, 29 May 2026
Lastly, the report did absolutely nothing to soothe the battle between progressives and moderates.
—Douglas Schoen, Oc Register, 28 May 2026
Luke Bronin is supported by The Bench and Majority Democrats – both PACs that are funneling millions of dollars to boost corporate-friendly moderates.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 27 May 2026
Her commission imposed a ban on noncompete clauses, a measure used by firms to prevent employees from leaving their jobs that has drawn bitter condemnation from libertarians and moderates as well as neo-Brandeisians.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 26 May 2026
In the North, the Republicans were split between moderates and radicals, while the Democrats were split between loyal Unionists and conservatives who preferred peace to a bloody war that pivoted on abolition.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026
Our results suggest that a growing number of them – especially moderates, African Americans and young people – are experiencing voter’s remorse.
—Tatishe Nteta, Fortune, 16 May 2026
Our results suggest that a growing number of them – especially moderates, African Americans and young people – are experiencing voter’s remorse.
—Adam Eichen, The Conversation, 14 May 2026
However, a recent April poll from Texas Public Opinion Research has the governor's race within five points, 48% to 43%, with Hinojosa scoring high among independents, moderates, Black voters, Latino voters and young voters.
—Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Verb
So the strategic release temporarily moderates price increases.
—Scott L. Montgomery, The Conversation, 23 Mar. 2026
There’s a lot of science behind this practice, but to put it simply, baking in a water bath regulates and moderates the temperature of the baked good, encouraging an even bake.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026
The former is processed slowly and moderates blood sugar.
—ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
The Digital Services Act primarily moderates the content on online platforms to prioritize user safety, while the Digital Markets Act aims to prevent Big Tech companies from abusing their market dominance.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 28 Dec. 2025
Their answer is a framework that moderates collective impulses while preserving the rights of individuals and minorities.
—Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 26 Nov. 2025
During the second panel of the Pillars of the Green Transition event on September 24, 2025, Newsweek editor Jeff Young moderates a discussion with HowGood CEO Alex Gillett, Climate Group CEO Helen Clarkson, Elopak CEO Thomas Körmendi and Arva CRO Phil Harris.
—Lauren Giella, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moderates
Noun
-
That document laid out strategies for electing centrists to the council.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
-
Congressional Progressive Caucus members have teed up a series of war powers measures to force even more votes in the coming weeks, and centrists have pushed another resolution to rein in the war that would also give the president a window to withdraw troops from hostilities.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Plan to mow every week until the day length decreases in late October and cold temperatures set in.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 June 2026
-
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 May 2026
-
Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Then the climax subsides for a lovely coda of strings, accompanied by a denouement in which the now casually clad, contemporary-looking singer smashes up her play set in the apartment where she’s presumably been brooding over all this stuff.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
22 May 2026
-
In fact, transparency mode eventually turns itself off until the wind subsides.—
Mark Knapp,
PC Magazine,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
When a substantial fraction of that talent pool declines even to consider military service, no signing bonus will close the gap.—
Robert Krasner,
STAT,
1 June 2026
-
And yet there's been no change in women's biology, or the age at which fertility declines.—
Lesley Stahl,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
And as if managing the spotlight and headlines weren’t enough, Austin trips and falls right in front of Diego Cruz, his attractive, flirty rival.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
30 May 2026
-
But the proud born-again evangelical is channeling the zeal of an old-fashioned tent revival, even if some of his rhetoric falls far outside the bounds of the Good Book.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Moderates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moderates. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
