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
Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 24 Feb. 2026
Later Republican presidential nominees—good men such as John McCain and Mitt Romney—represented the moderate coalition that had brought people like me into the party.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 23 Feb. 2026
Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Likewise, political moderates and independents are turning against the Republicans.
—Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
Aly J Yale, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
Daytime temperatures have moderated a bit this week, rising into the 30s.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026
ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
As immersive technologies expand — from AI chatbots to virtual reality — the challenges around monitoring, moderation, and accountability will only grow more complex.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Adjective
On business regulation, while Newsom likes to sometimes point to his own status as a successful businessman, does anyone actually think he’s been much of a moderate on the business community?
—Sal Rodriguez, Oc Register, 24 Feb. 2026
Later Republican presidential nominees—good men such as John McCain and Mitt Romney—represented the moderate coalition that had brought people like me into the party.
—Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 23 Feb. 2026
Noun
Her win would mark an upset over moderates like Malinowski, who had been surging in early returns and had more cash in his accounts to campaign.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Likewise, political moderates and independents are turning against the Republicans.
—Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
However, prices have moderated a bit recently, leaving precious metal investors wondering if silver is still a smart investment.
—Aly J Yale, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
Daytime temperatures have moderated a bit this week, rising into the 30s.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026
Noun
The agency's statement added that this constitutes offenses punishable under national and international laws, as well as under policies on moderation adopted by major digital platforms.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
As immersive technologies expand — from AI chatbots to virtual reality — the challenges around monitoring, moderation, and accountability will only grow more complex.
—Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moderate
Adjective
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At the time, the region was an upland environment surrounded by hot, arid plains — dramatically different from the green, temperate British countryside today.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Feb. 2026
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This region is similar to the Northeast but slightly more temperate and with more regular rainfall.—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Over the next five years, more than $118 million will need to be spent on a host of repairs, the costliest being the overhaul of the central plant that houses the building’s entire heating and cooling systems.—
Lori Weisberg,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
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Federal regulations prohibit the Orange County Transportation Authority from running a bus straight from some central spot (or spots) to California’s largest airport.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The report estimates that the average selling price of smartphones will rise 14% this year to an all-time high of $523, while manufacturers will no longer be able to make phones that cost less than $100.—
Wayne Chang,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
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The average price of new cars fluctuates in the span of a year, but in September, the average price of a new car surpassed $50,000—a record high, according to estimates by Kelley Blue Book.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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McDonald's fish patties today are made from wild Alaskan pollock, a lean fish with a mild flavor similar to cod, another traditional fish sandwich ingredient.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
27 Feb. 2026
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Now, in a new paper in the journal Cell Press Blue, researchers report that if the tissue’s first-line defenses fail, then what could have been a mild infection spirals out of control.—
Veronique Greenwood,
Time,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Walker said other states have removed the asset calculation and found the error rates have decreased, which means that more federal dollars go toward the SNAP program recipients.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
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Robocalls have decreased nationally and in the Chicago area over the past 12 months, in part due to newer federal regulations.—
Megan De Mar,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The store’s soft opening this month coincided with the kickoff of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, and Montelli paid homage to Milan with a minimalist chapter inspired by the city’s architectural codes and restrained elegance.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
27 Feb. 2026
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Details are precise, purposeful, and restrained.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The number of condominium and multifamily housing sales has also dropped while their median sales prices continue to rise.—
Savana Dunning,
The Providence Journal,
27 Feb. 2026
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White men had the highest median amount raised at $186,180, which was $30,000 to 50,000 more than other race and gender groups.—
Lorena O’Neil,
Rolling Stone,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Playa Cerritos offers both a gentle beach break for beginners and a more adventurous rocky point break for experts.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
26 Feb. 2026
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Jarred beans maintain a firmer texture, since the glass allows for a gentler cooking and cooling process.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Moderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moderate. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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