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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in average
being about midway between extremes of amount or size
a moderate snowfall was forecast for the region
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in mild
marked by temperatures that are neither too high nor too low
a city that is celebrated for its moderate climate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to decrease
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
the wind began to moderate as the night wore on
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in temperance
an avoidance of extremes in one's actions, beliefs, or habits
the kind of person who does everything in moderation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
Sheila Kim, The Spruce, 4 May 2026
As global policymakers consider how to best support moderation, a key question to grapple with is whether guidelines are fit for purpose in the real world.
—Justin Kissinger, Fortune, 2 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
Dead or Excessive Plants Greenery on the porch can be a nice touch, but it should be used in moderation, according to Gordon.
—Sheila Kim, The Spruce, 4 May 2026
As global policymakers consider how to best support moderation, a key question to grapple with is whether guidelines are fit for purpose in the real world.
—Justin Kissinger, Fortune, 2 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
-
For anyone with even a mild rodent aversion, that can trigger shivers of disgust.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
8 May 2026
-
The game stays mostly cloudy, but mild with temperatures gradually easing into the middle 60s by the late innings.—
Steven Sosna,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
The strange upside of high-profile rulings like Friday’s is a boost to Democratic messaging against the few swing-state centrist Republicans who are still clinging to House seats.—
Nicholas Wu,
semafor.com,
8 May 2026
-
Collins, a centrist Republican who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, presents her nearly three-decade, five-term Senate career as results-driven.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
It also is used off-label for other kinds of ulcers and has several gynecological uses, including to induce contractions, to decrease blood loss after delivery and to treat miscarriages.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
-
These efforts decreased spread significantly, according to the report.—
Youri Benadjaoud,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
The temperance, abolition, and civil-rights movements in America were all motivated in part by religious convictions.—
Luis Parrales,
The Atlantic,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Then, strong reform and radical movements to abolish slavery and to advocate for world peace, temperance, and women’s suffrage flourished.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Once there, prosecutors said the second victim was also forced into the back of the truck and restrained.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
-
The novel opens with the news of William Stoner’s death, delivered in the restrained, factual tone of an obituary.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Moderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moderate. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
