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
Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 13 May 2025
Almost a decade ago, for example, research at my institution and others found in a study of 6,500 women ages 63 to 99 that just 30 minutes of low to moderate physical activity was enough to significantly boost their health.
—Jean Wactawski-Wende, The Conversation, 2 May 2025
German Lopez, New York Times, 15 May 2025
His veer to the far left, alienating moderates and independents, has exposed the fragility of his national appeal.
—Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025
Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
Enhances the overall flavor of your items, while helping to moderate the reaction of the baking powder.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Adjective
Councilor Ed Flynn, a moderate Democrat, disagrees.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 13 May 2025
Almost a decade ago, for example, research at my institution and others found in a study of 6,500 women ages 63 to 99 that just 30 minutes of low to moderate physical activity was enough to significantly boost their health.
—Jean Wactawski-Wende, The Conversation, 2 May 2025
Noun
But moderates and populists on the right argue that the bill already cuts too much.
—German Lopez, New York Times, 15 May 2025
His veer to the far left, alienating moderates and independents, has exposed the fragility of his national appeal.
—Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025
Verb
To celebrate the occasion, Cruise took the stage at BFI Southbank for a conversation moderated by DJ and presenter Edith Bowman.
—Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
Enhances the overall flavor of your items, while helping to moderate the reaction of the baking powder.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moderate
Adjective
-
Spanish canals operated in a temperate climate and were managed by individual farmers who could maintain or increase their water flow.—
Ari Caramanica,
The Conversation,
8 Apr. 2025
-
In fact, the more temperate weather can be the best time to snuggle up outside, sit by a fire pit, and enjoy a new piece of outdoor furniture.—
Shea Simmons,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
Glasner has used the 3-4-3 in every game this season, and a back three is well-suited to playing against two central attackers.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
-
The late Pope Francis made immigrants and the poor a central focus of his papacy.—
Ruth Sherlock,
NPR,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
The average time a house remains on the market has also increased to 75 days.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 May 2025
-
Despite the increase, the average number of active listings remains below the average of 13,871 for April from 1985 to 2024.—
Sara B. Hansen,
Denver Post,
10 May 2025
Adjective
-
Other forces besides tariffs also may have contributed to mild inflation last month.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
-
However, even 3% solutions might cause nausea, diarrhea, and mild irritation of mucosal tissue, such as in the eyes and nose.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
12 May 2025
Verb
-
Iron Ore production decreased by 4.5% to 67.7 million metric tons due to heavy rainfall in Brazil.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
-
Although the unsheltered population in the city of L.A. decreased last year from 32,680 to 29,275, and is projected to decline again this year, residents and business owners continue to express frustration with the city’s handling of the homelessness crisis.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2025
Adjective
-
In 2024, China's approach to U.S. tariffs remained relatively restrained.—
Kate Nalepinski,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 May 2025
-
Maybe this will be a rare case of restrained longing.—
Laura Bradley,
Vulture,
9 May 2025
Adjective
-
As the Times notes, median lunch prices are only around $3.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
12 May 2025
-
County appraisers valued the properties at around $742 million; the median home in the portfolio is worth $268,000.—
Jaime Moore-Carrillo,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 May 2025
Adjective
-
Including Marcelo and his kid, all three of the film’s rival factions are father-son teams, a choice that highlights Filho’s gentle emphasis on the relationship between lineage and identity — and the defiant notion that history is as hard to erase as DNA.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
18 May 2025
-
The story is like a gentle hug, wrapping you up in a sense of comfort and contentment.—
American Booksellers Association,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Moderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moderate. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share