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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of moderate
Lisa Wood Shapiro, Wired News, 18 Aug. 2025
Those who already like spice are eating even more extreme versions of it, but the interest in heat is happening across the board, even at the moderate level, among people who might never touch a Carolina Reaper.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 18 Aug. 2025
Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 2 July 2025
Democrats are torn between courting moderates or doubling down on progressives.
—Averi Harper, ABC News, 26 June 2025
Giana Levy, Variety, 13 Aug. 2025
Following the screening was a panel discussion with industry players on the adoption of biomaterials, moderated by fashion writer and editor Giorgia Feroldi.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Adjective
That means green for good air, yellow for moderate, orange for unhealthy for sensitive groups, red for unhealthy, purple for very unhealthy, and maroon for hazardous.
—Lisa Wood Shapiro, Wired News, 18 Aug. 2025
Those who already like spice are eating even more extreme versions of it, but the interest in heat is happening across the board, even at the moderate level, among people who might never touch a Carolina Reaper.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 18 Aug. 2025
Noun
Trump hosted a group of holdouts at the White House on Wednesday morning — conservative fiscal hawks and moderates alike — but his last-minute sales pitch has not yet resulted in enough movement.
—Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 2 July 2025
Democrats are torn between courting moderates or doubling down on progressives.
—Averi Harper, ABC News, 26 June 2025
Verb
Mark Robichaux, a veteran media journalist and editor of Malone’s memoir, will moderate the session.
—Giana Levy, Variety, 13 Aug. 2025
Following the screening was a panel discussion with industry players on the adoption of biomaterials, moderated by fashion writer and editor Giorgia Feroldi.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moderate
Adjective
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Those individuals experienced up to an 8 percent additional drop in kidney function each year compared with those living in temperate climates.—
Nora Bradford,
Scientific American,
29 July 2025
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The list includes places like Malta, a five-island nation with terrific beaches, a temperate climate and low crime, and Belize, the only Central American country with English as its official language.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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The Fed’s annual gathering of global central bankers and economists kicked off last night in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.—
Jeff Kilburg,
CNBC,
22 Aug. 2025
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Derby Fire in Colorado triggers evacuations A wildfire in central Colorado has prompted evacuations as firefighters struggled to gain control of the flames burning along steep cliffsides.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The average team is worth $7.13 billion, up 20% from a year ago.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
14 Aug. 2025
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For Steele, the trip was markedly different from the average — massive camera crew aside — in both practical and intangible ways.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The itching may be mild or intense enough to cause frequent scratching, which can lead to rawness and further irritation.3 This is also sometimes the cause of pain associated with athlete’s foot.—
Sarah Bradley,
Health,
15 Aug. 2025
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The reality is that consumer inflation (the kind regular schmoes like us feel) was pretty mild.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The top three contributors to hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Aug. 2025
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Gross profit decreased 12% compared to last year's second quarter end, Kodak disclosed, and its cash balance sits at $155 million, marking a loss of just under 23% since the end of December.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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But the whisky never strays too far from its wood-spiced core, with restrained elements of aspen, pine, birch, and cedar wood.—
David Thomas Tao,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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The restrained approach, however, raised a question: Why didn’t the Cubs get another starting pitcher before Thursday’s deadline?—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The manufacturers that produce these gases typically are located in communities where the people are Black, Latino or Native American and earn less money than the state median income.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
16 Aug. 2025
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New Jersey stayed the third-best state to live in, having a high median household income, low rate of poverty, high life expectancy, and low crime rate.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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How to Trim Zucchini Plants Prune with a gentle hand, taking this approach from Sears.—
Amy Brightfield,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Aug. 2025
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The finish is long and silky, with subtle caramel and gentle wood spice notes.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Moderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moderate. Accessed 26 Aug. 2025.
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