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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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
Brian Mastroianni, Health, 23 Oct. 2025
While the flu is traditionally associated with symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, headache and fatigue, children and adults alike can experience moderate to severe complications.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Steven T. Dennis, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025
Whichever candidate is elected will also likely face opposition and infighting from within their own party, given the split between LDP conservatives and moderates, said Hall.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
Jakob Roze, Health, 21 Oct. 2025
The session featured artist Lenny Tavárez, producers Yan and Yon MadMusick, and Pinky Mordan, with Billboard’s Ingrid Fajardo moderating the conversation.
—Quincy Green, Billboard, 21 Oct. 2025
Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
Experts still advise moderation—about 8 ounces a day—since too much can add unnecessary sugar to your diet.
—Sarah Garone, Health, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Adjective
Zone 2 cardio is moderate-intensity exercise—like brisk walking or cycling—done at about 60% to 70% of your max heart rate.
—Brian Mastroianni, Health, 23 Oct. 2025
While the flu is traditionally associated with symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, headache and fatigue, children and adults alike can experience moderate to severe complications.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
Some moderates including Republicans Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Democrat Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire have been trying — so far unsuccessfully — to negotiate an end to the standoff and unlock a broader deal on health care and the federal budget.
—Steven T. Dennis, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025
Whichever candidate is elected will also likely face opposition and infighting from within their own party, given the split between LDP conservatives and moderates, said Hall.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
Choose a medicine ball that is light to moderate in weight.
—Jakob Roze, Health, 21 Oct. 2025
The session featured artist Lenny Tavárez, producers Yan and Yon MadMusick, and Pinky Mordan, with Billboard’s Ingrid Fajardo moderating the conversation.
—Quincy Green, Billboard, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
The middle class is historically a force of moderation and stability in Iran, bridging the gaps in society and counteracting extremes.
—Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2025
Experts still advise moderation—about 8 ounces a day—since too much can add unnecessary sugar to your diet.
—Sarah Garone, Health, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moderate
Adjective
-
Yes, holiday cactus thrives outside during summer in temperate conditions.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Oct. 2025
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Winter is also a good time to plant bare-root trees and hardy shrubs in temperate climates.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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More than 20 televisions will show football and sports with live music, pool tables and a central horseshoe bar.—
Andy Humbles,
Nashville Tennessean,
27 Oct. 2025
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Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, and took around 250 hostages, and their release has been a central tenet of the first phase of the peace agreement.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Seizeen Store Inflatable Hot Tub with Massage Jets This isn’t your average inflatable tub.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Oct. 2025
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In terms of precipitation, the seasonal temperature outlook predicts a 33%-40% likelihood of an above average amount of precipitation for the entire state during the winter months.—
Cailey Gleeson,
jsonline.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Finish the job by wiping down the fan blades with a damp cloth and a little mild soap.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
26 Oct. 2025
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Medical experts say mild discrepancies between CGMs and fingerstick tests are normal, but large ones can be dangerous.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As the Universe continues to expand, dark energy’s relative contributions to the energy density will rise, while the remaining components will continue to decrease in relative importance.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
24 Oct. 2025
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See what prices have increased and decreased.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The same restrained values of democracy have always marked the White House—a stately house, but not an imperial one.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
25 Oct. 2025
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Cooper—director of pictures like Crazy Heart, Hostiles, and most recently The Pale Blue Eye—makes sure the proceedings are always restrained and respectful.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Still, the median Milwaukee home cost less than the national median price of $435,545.—
Francesca Pica,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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And for first-time buyers who have struggled to break into the market, new opportunities may be emerging in the condominium sector, where the median price has declined 7% from the previous year.—
Collyn Wainwright,
Nashville Tennessean,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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One day, the hotel arranged for a gentle hike along the Ship Harbor Trail that would lead us past a tranquil cove, mudflats, and a spruce forest.—
Sarah Bruning,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Oct. 2025
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Use gentle cleaners instead of harsh or acidic ones that can erode the resin binder.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Moderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moderate. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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