1
as in average
being about midway between extremes of amount or size
he was awarded a modest pension when he retired
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pure
free from any trace of the coarse or indecent
tended to wear more modest swimsuits than the thong-clad guests at the resort
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in shy
not comfortable around people
a modest winner who said a quick thank-you and promptly left the stage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in humble
not having or showing any feelings of superiority, self-assertiveness, or showiness
appealingly modest about her success in the fashion industry
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 modest
This modest documentary album illustrates how American music has always contributed significantly to the telling of America’s story.
—
Ted Olson,
The Conversation,
2 July 2026
Trump receives a pension of $6,484 per month from SAG, and also gets a modest pension from the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, $727 per month.
—
Will Lennon,
ABC News,
2 July 2026
There were the modest re-signings Wednesday of veterans Nick Foligno and Zach Bogosian, the addition of career backup Calvin Pickard as a fill-in goalie for rehabbing Filip Gustavsson and four forwards destined for Iowa.
—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
2 July 2026
For my son and me though, the rather modest town brings back fond memories of an amateur rocketry launch site at the base of a mountain just south of the town off Interstate 8.
—
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for modest
Ted Olson,
The Conversation,
2 July 2026
Trump receives a pension of $6,484 per month from SAG, and also gets a modest pension from the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, $727 per month.
—
Will Lennon,
ABC News,
2 July 2026
There were the modest re-signings Wednesday of veterans Nick Foligno and Zach Bogosian, the addition of career backup Calvin Pickard as a fill-in goalie for rehabbing Filip Gustavsson and four forwards destined for Iowa.
—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
2 July 2026
For my son and me though, the rather modest town brings back fond memories of an amateur rocketry launch site at the base of a mountain just south of the town off Interstate 8.
—
Los Angeles Times,
1 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for modest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modest
Adjective
-
Conditions will bring above-average temperatures to World Cup host cities such as Boston, Philadelphia and Kansas City, Missouri, all of which have open-air stadiums.
-
Forty ships transited the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, according to data from maritime intelligence firm Kpler, a number still significantly lower than the average daily crossings before the war with Iran started in February.
Adjective
-
The World Cup visitors being blown away by all that is America is pure entertainment.
-
Post-split, one Comcast entity will be a pure-play entertainment content company, with NBCUniversal and Sky assets, while the other company will be a leading broadband, cable and wireless provider.
Adjective
-
Willis, who was one of the group's founders in the 1970s, died one day shy of his 75th birthday.
-
His six goals tied Argentina forward Lionel Messi for the tournament lead and gave him 18 in his World Cup career, one shy of Messi's record.
Adjective
-
Teoscar Hernández was back from a hamstring injury, and a little bit humble.
-
America's favorite investment has changed over time In 2008, as the Great Recession descended, Americans picked the humble savings account (and the certificate of deposit) as their favorite long-term investment in Gallup polls.
Adjective
-
The median cumulative earnings for UC graduates over a 20-year period amounts to more than $2 million, data from 2024 shows.
-
The median cost for full-time care for an infant in Los Angeles County was $1,209 a month at a family child-care home and $1,818 a month at a center in 2024, according to data from the California Budget & Policy Center.
Adjective
-
Conditioning is ever immaculate and the greens run fair and true.
-
This season, the vibes remained immaculate.
Adjective
-
The withdrawn draft focused on setting up several new watchdogs to keep AI in check, including a dedicated commission and a special insurance fund to help people if the new technology caused harm.
-
The story follows Trey, a withdrawn ex-con surviving as a night driver on the city’s margins, who forms a tentative and increasingly intimate bond with Camden (Dafne Keen), a sharp and restless young woman working as a call girl.
Adjective
-
Contrasting her with the meek, mysterious, and passive Anthy, the series examines the constrictions both men and women face via traditional gender roles, with an eye towards gender fluidity that remains radical today.
-
The series centers on Cha Myung-jo, a meek worker at a company producing imitation character stickers who, despite nominally heading his household, lives in the shadow of his far more capable wife.
Cite this Entry
“Modest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modest. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
