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
Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
Tax-Aide is designed to benefit low-to-moderate income people, particularly those 50 and older, but anyone can use its service unless their returns are particularly complex.
—Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026
Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 16 Jan. 2026
Instead, the major political factions of the time--from the moderates to the communists to the Islamists to millions of everyday Iranians--put their trust in the mullahs to bring them a free Iran.
—Arkansas Online, 15 Jan. 2026
Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 23 Jan. 2026
Comments Comments are moderated.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
As the disease of tyranny progresses, citizens may eventually lose the habits of democracy — the art of persuasion and compromise, interpersonal trust, an intolerance for corruption, the spirit of freedom, the ethic of moderation.
—David Brooks, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Adjective
For debtors with moderate income and debt — like those catching up on car payments while managing credit card balances — the monthly payments are generally between $500 and $600.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
Tax-Aide is designed to benefit low-to-moderate income people, particularly those 50 and older, but anyone can use its service unless their returns are particularly complex.
—Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026
Noun
Polls say voters, especially crucial moderates and independents, are not happy with the immigration crackdown that has led to clashes on the streets of cities like Minneapolis, where an ICE agent killed unarmed motorist Renee Nicole Good.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 16 Jan. 2026
Instead, the major political factions of the time--from the moderates to the communists to the Islamists to millions of everyday Iranians--put their trust in the mullahs to bring them a free Iran.
—Arkansas Online, 15 Jan. 2026
Verb
If only more houses were built, this wisdom states, prices would moderate.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 23 Jan. 2026
Comments Comments are moderated.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
Assisted by the low, somber strings of Oliver Coates’ score and the clean, crisp brightness of Judith Kaufmann’s lensing, Volpe directs with much the same simplicity and moderation, toward a pitch-perfect ending of wholly disarming terseness and economy.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 26 Jan. 2026
As the disease of tyranny progresses, citizens may eventually lose the habits of democracy — the art of persuasion and compromise, interpersonal trust, an intolerance for corruption, the spirit of freedom, the ethic of moderation.
—David Brooks, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moderate
Adjective
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His tone is temperate, but the words echo through the State Capitol’s Assembly chamber, the august backdrop for his speech.—
Maya Singer,
Vogue,
1 Feb. 2026
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Their distribution appears to be worldwide, but sparse, spanning tropical and temperate waters at depths between 820-4,921 feet (250-1,500 meters).—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Born in Rockhampton, in central Queensland, Australia, her first job was working for the Australian government in compliance, across Brisbane and Sydney.—
Kati Chitrakorn,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
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With the arrival of Lent, millions of Catholics around the world begin a period of reflection and spiritual preparation leading up to Holy Week, the central moment of the Christian faith that commemorates the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.—
Nadia Cantú,
AZCentral.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Observations of transits of Venus, which only occur twice per century, on average (most recently in 2012), were humanity’s first indication that Venus possessed — whereas Mercury lacked — a substantial atmosphere.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Feb. 2026
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The average transaction price (ATP) on a new vehicle hit $50,000 for the first time ever last fall, according to Kelley Blue Book.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Sleep disturbances While marijuana’s mild sedating and relaxing effects can sometimes help people who have difficulty falling asleep, experts say there are several important things to consider before using it as a sleep aid.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
These are some of the best places in the world to live in with mild winters, affordable cost of living, and great health care.—
Kathleen Peddicord,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The rise of cloud computing in the 2010s forced Cisco to decrease its reliance on hardware networking equipment.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
-
All dogs in the shelter are receiving antibiotics to significantly decrease their chances of developing symptoms, according to the news release.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
January 30,
Sacbee.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Rooms are furnished comfortably in the expected Southwestern decor, but avoid overdoing it thanks to restrained, contemporary hands.—
Asonta Benetti,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Jan. 2026
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That restrained use of color and geometry feels emblematic of Milan, a city that prizes substance over flash.—
Laura Itzkowitz,
AFAR Media,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
His plan is for six townhouses to be leased at rates considered affordable for tenants earning just 60% of the area’s median income; another seven would be priced for people making up to 80% of that average.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
30 Jan. 2026
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The complex will serve families who earn under 80% of area median income.—
Theresa Clift,
Sacbee.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The intuitive Moon is in your sign, lighting your 1st House of Identity and inviting you to show gentle leadership through presence rather than pressure.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
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This villa is high enough to feel secluded, but never removed from the gentle rhythm of the Caribbean island of Bequia.—
Rebekah Evans,
TheWeek,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Moderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moderate. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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