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
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3
as in shy
not comfortable around people
a modest winner who said a quick thank-you and promptly left the stage
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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
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Recent Examples of modest
Rainfall totals were modest at best, with most Bay Area locations picking up just hundredths of an inch.
—
Greg Porter, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
Both funds saw gross inflows, which combined with the 5% gates resulted in modest net outflows.
—Leslie Picker, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026
Along with their frequent producer, Jim Vollentine, Quist and Jurdi were joined by Nealon for some modest preproduction on Country Sides, but most of the songs took shape over the course of four days in the studio.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2026
Experts had predicted a strong season, pointing to a modest increase in inventory, momentum in new construction and lower year-over-year listing prices.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for modest
Greg Porter, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
Both funds saw gross inflows, which combined with the 5% gates resulted in modest net outflows.
—Leslie Picker, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026
Along with their frequent producer, Jim Vollentine, Quist and Jurdi were joined by Nealon for some modest preproduction on Country Sides, but most of the songs took shape over the course of four days in the studio.
—Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2026
Experts had predicted a strong season, pointing to a modest increase in inventory, momentum in new construction and lower year-over-year listing prices.
—Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for modest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modest
Adjective
-
Precipitation is currently about 90 percent of average, boosted by strong winter storms in December.—
Brady Halbleib,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The average cost of mold remediation is about $2,300, according to Angi, a home services marketplace.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Their relationship starts as pure rivalry, shifts into a friends-with-benefits arrangement and eventually evolves into a full romantic relationship across the six-episode first season.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Mar. 2026
-
But Honeywell is inching up, as people anticipate receiving shares of a pure-play aerospace company and an automation and security company.—
Kevin Stankiewicz,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The county attorney makes $344,268, just shy of the city attorney, and Sheriff Gary McFadden trails the police chief with a $271,277 salary.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Stout, who has a doctorate in clinical psychology and has worked in the mental health field her entire career, understood what her uncle needed, and Hochheiser himself wasn’t shy.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
There wasn’t anything inherently wrong with this, but outsourcing the writing to professionals only underscored the degree to which this humble document, once meant to blunt the puffery of the cover letter, had now become the leading weapon in the job seeker’s arsenal.—
Stephen Mihm,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 2026
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Sporks have come a long way from their humble beginnings in Rhode Island, and as the traveler’s preferred eating utensil, they’re destined to go ever further.—
James Stout,
Outside,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The candidates earned a median annual income of $489,000 from 2021 to 2025, a total that in most cases includes their spouse’s income.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
4 Apr. 2026
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Similarly, professionals in substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselor occupations earn median wages below $60,000 a year, despite typically needing a master’s degree in psychology or a related field.—
Kamaron McNair,
CNBC,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Her house is immense and kept in immaculate condition by her family’s servants (the Marthas).—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Welcome back to this week’s Lakers newsletter, where the vibes are immaculate.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Parents report that many children stop eating, lose weight and become withdrawn.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
6 Feb. 2026
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Along the way, Babilonia matured from the shy withdrawn child who refused to hold a boy’s hand into a bold, strong and confident woman.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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That included a meek loss in Toronto, with Murray not participating on the second night of a back-to-back following a blowout loss at Detroit.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The other, meek and mild-mannered.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Modest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modest. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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