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
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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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as in temperance
an avoidance of extremes in one's actions, beliefs, or habits
the kind of person who does everything in moderation
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of moderate
Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
Some moderate Democrats representing New York's suburbs have criticized him and declined to back his campaign.
—Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 28 June 2025
Eric Lach, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
Despite the push from House moderates, Roy and his Freedom Caucus colleagues successfully pushed the bill rightward in the lower chamber.
—Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 17 June 2025
Okla Jones, Essence, 25 June 2025
The final session, moderated by executive editor of international Elsa Keslassy, was about innovating for the future.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Adjective
Trump’s ramping up of immigration enforcement and subsequent deployment of the California National Guard and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles has prompted the city’s progressive and moderate Democratic politicians to band together and set aside their differences.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
Some moderate Democrats representing New York's suburbs have criticized him and declined to back his campaign.
—Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 28 June 2025
Noun
In 2021, Eric Adams succeeded de Blasio with a potent mix of Black votes plus moderates of various creeds and colors.
—Eric Lach, New Yorker, 23 June 2025
Despite the push from House moderates, Roy and his Freedom Caucus colleagues successfully pushed the bill rightward in the lower chamber.
—Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 17 June 2025
Verb
One of the weekend’s major highlights includes a live NPR Tiny Desk conversation with Maxwell, moderated by producer Bobby Carter.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 25 June 2025
The final session, moderated by executive editor of international Elsa Keslassy, was about innovating for the future.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moderate
Adjective
-
Located on the North Island near the Manawatū River, Palmerston (Palmy, colloquially) is representative of many cities around the world, with a largely temperate climate and a population of around 91,000 residents.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
7 May 2025
-
Today, these ants primarily live in undisturbed and temperate eastern North American forests.—
Lauren Thomann,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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The intense rain caused the Guadalupe River to rise 26 feet in just 45 minutes in central Texas.—
Joanna Moriello,
New York Daily News,
6 July 2025
-
There is still a risk for more rain in central Texas.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
Adjective
-
Three times a week, on average, in the last six months, Lily had called her daughter with this question.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 July 2025
-
The e-bike is almost unbelievably efficient: to fully charge a five-hundred-watt e-bike costs, on average, about eight cents.—
Bill McKibben,
New Yorker,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
Their grass-like hollow leaves have a mild onion flavor and are common in salads and dips.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
29 June 2025
-
After the Animal Kingdom star shaved his head for another role, Williamson had a mild freakout.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
29 June 2025
Verb
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Following Monday's trade, Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust will own 220 shares of GS, decreasing its weighting to about 4.35% from about 4.75%.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
7 July 2025
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The recent data represents a downward trend as COVID-19 cases and deaths have decreased statewide into early summer, the state dashboard shows.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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His cooking balances the delicate, restrained flavors of traditional kaiseki with the richer, more robust flavors he’s explored in Western kitchens.—
Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
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Chief among them is that Iran's retaliatory strike turned out to be more restrained than many had feared.—
,
CNBC,
24 June 2025
Adjective
-
This is low joblessness as the median monthly local jobless rate since 2010 is 5.8%.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
28 June 2025
-
Nearly all families would qualify to receive scholarships except those making more than three times their area's median income.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
The sunrise alarm clock gradually brightens your room with a simulated sunrise for a gentle wake-up.—
Nora Colomer
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
5 July 2025
-
Hand wash with gentle soap and cold water, avoiding soaking, and use a mesh bag if machine washing is necessary.—
Gabi De la Rosa,
Southern Living,
5 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Moderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moderate. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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