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
Halle Troadec, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
Maine has one of the oldest voting populations in the country, and voters often elect politicians with a reputation for being moderate.
—Arkansas Online, 6 Apr. 2026
Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Mar. 2026
And so what was at that time a useful but never completely articulated plan has come back to bite the GOP in the never-ending war for the hearts and minds of moderates and independents.
—Bob Ehrlich, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2026
Michael Bloom, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2026
Current forecasts suggest unsettled to active geomagnetic conditions tonight, with minor to moderate storm-level (G1 to G2) conditions possible as solar wind disturbances continue through April 1 and into April 2, according to NOAA.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Oriana Van Praag, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
The decline followed Musk’s overhaul of moderation systems and the disbanding of internal safety groups.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Adjective
But the coalition of Democrats, independents and Republicans that Harris built caught the attention of moderate national Democrats such as Pete Buttigieg, another military veteran, who traveled to the northwest Georgia district to stump for Harris last month.
—Halle Troadec, ABC News, 7 Apr. 2026
Maine has one of the oldest voting populations in the country, and voters often elect politicians with a reputation for being moderate.
—Arkansas Online, 6 Apr. 2026
Noun
In Rome the moderates were wholly discredited, and Pellegrino Rossi, an able liberal, tried in vain to preserve order.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Mar. 2026
And so what was at that time a useful but never completely articulated plan has come back to bite the GOP in the never-ending war for the hearts and minds of moderates and independents.
—Bob Ehrlich, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
Our alt data is also supportive given moderating pressures in range resale values and strong special vehicles’ appreciation.
—Michael Bloom, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2026
Current forecasts suggest unsettled to active geomagnetic conditions tonight, with minor to moderate storm-level (G1 to G2) conditions possible as solar wind disturbances continue through April 1 and into April 2, according to NOAA.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
Aaron said that incorporating a method of moderation or verification—such as the voting system in Waze—would have required collecting user data that might someday fall under a subpoena.
—Oriana Van Praag, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
The decline followed Musk’s overhaul of moderation systems and the disbanding of internal safety groups.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moderate
Adjective
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With only a few exceptions, humans live primarily in temperate regions, but an eclectic array of other creatures thrive in the inhospitable.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Eventually, and probably soon, the max-maxxers will seem temperate in hindsight.—
Ian Bogost,
The Atlantic,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
His career essentially bestrides the slow-to-grow Before Times and the apparent soccer paradise of today, which was fortified by remarkable facilities, boosted by an ideal central location and forged by an eagerly welcoming host city that slugged above its weight to make this happen.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
-
As California voters prepare to choose their next governor in 2026, energy policy — particularly the future of oil production, refineries and gas prices — has remained a central and complex issue in the race.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Precipitation is currently about 90 percent of average, boosted by strong winter storms in December.—
Brady Halbleib,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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The average cost of mold remediation is about $2,300, according to Angi, a home services marketplace.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Popcorn is also a whole grain, containing fiber that helps slow digestion and triggers mild hormonal satiety signals.—
Lauren Panoff,
Verywell Health,
3 Apr. 2026
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One study showed that men with hair loss at the crown have a 61% chance of experiencing mild to moderate regrowth of hair after using finasteride for a year, and men with hair loss at the temples have a 37% chance of regrowth.—
Rebecca Strong,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This risk decreases as the storm moves away.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Apr. 2026
-
As the war in Iran rages on, both rising oil prices and consumers’ decreasing desire to jet-set in uncertain times hang like a dark cloud over the industry, threatening to upend air travel across the world.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Even within a restrained palette, a strong silhouette can shift the entire room.—
Angelika Pokovba,
Martha Stewart,
3 Apr. 2026
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Ashe is a rocket ship that can’t be reined in, and watching the restrained, comparably rational Coop try to lasso him is reliably entertaining.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The candidates earned a median annual income of $489,000 from 2021 to 2025, a total that in most cases includes their spouse’s income.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
4 Apr. 2026
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Similarly, professionals in substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselor occupations earn median wages below $60,000 a year, despite typically needing a master’s degree in psychology or a related field.—
Kamaron McNair,
CNBC,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Being gentle with yourself is a form of bravery, so go ahead and indulge your softer side.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Build buffer time, trim one commitment, then return to the itinerary with even gentler expectations and a simpler packing list.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Moderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moderate. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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