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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of moderate
Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 12 May 2026
At just 43, Streeting has long been considered the moderate future of Labour and is praised as one of the government’s most effective communicators.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
Rose Evans
may 6, Idaho Statesman, 6 May 2026
Critics of the idea ranged from moderates to conservatives and from rank-and-file lawmakers to party leaders.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
In an effort to reduce costs internally, Uber has adopted artificial intelligence for engineering productivity and is moderating its hiring.
—Lora Kolodny,samantha Subin, CNBC, 6 May 2026
Dr. Howard Tucker, CNBC, 10 May 2026
But the median voter isn’t exactly baying for moderation and compromise.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Adjective
Pinch spent blooms to keep it blooming until fall, and give cosmos full sun and moderate water.
—Nellah Bailey McGough, Southern Living, 12 May 2026
At just 43, Streeting has long been considered the moderate future of Labour and is praised as one of the government’s most effective communicators.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
Noun
Keyser is a 39-year-old auditor and former Marine who unseated Winder in a contentious 2024 primary that favored further-right candidates over moderates, the Idaho Statesman previously reported.
—Rose Evans
may 6, Idaho Statesman, 6 May 2026
Critics of the idea ranged from moderates to conservatives and from rank-and-file lawmakers to party leaders.
—Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
His moderating influence will be an asset in Sacramento.
—Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 8 May 2026
In an effort to reduce costs internally, Uber has adopted artificial intelligence for engineering productivity and is moderating its hiring.
—Lora Kolodny,samantha Subin, CNBC, 6 May 2026
Noun
To me, moderation is what makes enjoyment possible over the long run.
—Dr. Howard Tucker, CNBC, 10 May 2026
But the median voter isn’t exactly baying for moderation and compromise.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moderate
Adjective
-
The temperate weather in Southern Corsica allows the restaurant to be set completely outdoors.—
Rebekah Peppler,
Travel + Leisure,
9 May 2026
-
In a temperate environment such as North Texas, where the growing season is long and the winters are mild, biological pressures are constant.—
Kody Boye,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
The third floor includes a central gathering space along with two other bedrooms and bathrooms.—
Kaitlyn Keegan,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
-
At the Marché, the Taiwan Pavilion marks genre as a central export driver, underscoring sustained demand from regional buyers for commercial storytelling.—
Lin Ying-Hsuan,
Variety,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
Good for 79 runs of production above an average player, per FanGraphs.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
Even then, savings for average drivers aren’t huge.—
Wyatte Grantham-Philips,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
And what surprises many people outside Finland is that mild alcohol is actually a very common and almost emblematic part of the sauna experience.—
Brad Japhe,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
Sunny investor attitudes stem from robust corporate earnings, as well as milder economic fallout from the war than some forecasters feared, some analysts previously told ABC News.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Streeting’s views could prove a significant hurdle in garnering support from Labour’s membership, however, with left-wing factions within the party regarding him as too centrist or even right wing.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
14 May 2026
-
The bomb exploded after being pushed through a letter slot at the centrist D66 party on May 8.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
For example, Social Security retirement benefits could decrease and pensions could stay the same.—
Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,
CNBC,
15 May 2026
-
As more time passes from the peak of the solar cycle, auroral activity will decrease.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Moral judgments like these became part of the school curriculum in the late 19th century, as the temperance movement gained momentum toward its goal of total abstinence.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
3 May 2026
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The temperance, abolition, and civil-rights movements in America were all motivated in part by religious convictions.—
Luis Parrales,
The Atlantic,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Puerto Rican rum production emphasizes column distillation and filtration, yielding a cleaner, lighter, and more restrained profile than many heavier Caribbean styles.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
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It was described by critics as psychologically uneasy and emotionally claustrophobic, with Keough serving as the restrained emotional center of the film.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Moderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moderate. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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