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
Karen Brooks Harper, Dallas Morning News, 10 Jan. 2026
On the other side of the continuum are people who are considered to have a clinical alcohol use disorder, which can be mild, moderate or severe.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
Talla Mountjoy, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
Childcare prices do not necessarily fall just because CPI moderates.
—Gene Ludwig, Fortune, 11 Jan. 2026
Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Works & Process executive director Duke Dang will moderate a discussion about the work.
—Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026
Emily Saladino, Washington Post, 9 Jan. 2026
This is not a standard content-moderation issue.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Adjective
Still, going for moderate, default Republicans who haven’t broken with Abbott yet may pay off because new Democratic voters aren’t pouring into Texas, said Democratic strategist Matt Angle.
—Karen Brooks Harper, Dallas Morning News, 10 Jan. 2026
On the other side of the continuum are people who are considered to have a clinical alcohol use disorder, which can be mild, moderate or severe.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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.
—Talla Mountjoy, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
Childcare prices do not necessarily fall just because CPI moderates.
—Gene Ludwig, Fortune, 11 Jan. 2026
Verb
Layoffs remain exceptionally low and inflation has moderated.
—Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
Works & Process executive director Duke Dang will moderate a discussion about the work.
—Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
But there are different ways to approach moderation.
—Emily Saladino, Washington Post, 9 Jan. 2026
This is not a standard content-moderation issue.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moderate
Adjective
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The good thing is, most plants native to temperate parts of the globe evolved ways to deal with the annual seasonal cycle.—
Paul Cappiello,
Louisville Courier Journal,
9 Jan. 2026
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Heating the indoor air in winter means the air will retain more moisture (it won't be dispersed to help humidify plants or your sinuses), but lowering the thermostat to a temperate 68 degrees F can help increase relative humidity in your home, and this can help your houseplants stay vibrant.—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The central legal question was whether the board of governors or the club’s voting members holds the ultimate power to authorize major capital projects and debt.—
Chase Jordan
January 13,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Jan. 2026
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The partial restoration came as security forces maintained a heavy presence across central Tehran, according to residents, with riot police, Revolutionary Guard units and plainclothes officers deployed at key locations as authorities sought to contain unrest.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Tucker’s $60 million average annual value would be the second-highest in baseball history, not factoring discounting, behind Shohei Ohtani’s $70 million in his 10-year deal with the Dodgers that runs through 2033.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
16 Jan. 2026
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Residential properties made up just under a third of the average family office's real estate holdings, per the same report.—
Hayley Cuccinello,
CNBC,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Rain looks most likely at first, with temperatures mild ahead of the system, before colder air works in Wednesday night.—
Andrew Kozak,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
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Just don’t place fragile items and objects that could be damaged by extreme heat or cold in your trunk unless your car is staying put and the weather is mild.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Newsom claims homelessness decline Newsom during his final State of the State address Thursday claimed the state’s homeless population decreased last year.—
Theresa Clift,
Sacbee.com,
10 Jan. 2026
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Meanwhile, the number of job openings have decreased nearly 10% on the year to 729,000 in the September to November period from a year ago, the ONS found.—
Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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His multicourse omakase shows off the chef’s restrained minimalist Edomae style and love of aged fish.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
13 Jan. 2026
-
In response, Watson has pushed for a more restrained budget process, tighter oversight of city finances and a systemwide evaluation of how City Hall delivers services — all aimed at restoring transparency and credibility.—
Austin American Statesman,
Austin American Statesman,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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According to the Realtors group, the statewide median home price will climb to a record of $905,000 in 2026.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
12 Jan. 2026
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The upper limit of affordable housing in Florida typically has rent that does not exceed 30% of the income of someone making 120% of the area’s median income.—
Catherine Odom,
Miami Herald,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Don’t let the cream’s $8 price tag fool you; the anti-aging find tackles fine lines, wrinkles, and clogged pores, all while being gentle enough for all skin types.—
Isabel Bekele,
InStyle,
16 Jan. 2026
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The gentle support helps keep legs from feeling heavy after hours of sitting, walking, and moving between destinations.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Moderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moderate. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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