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
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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of modest
The value of walnuts spiked last year after cratering in the years prior, but relatively small loads of walnuts still sell for modest prices.
—
Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 31 Oct. 2025
The base is thin and crisp, the cheese modest, and the vegetables raw and dressed, layered on post-bake so their texture and flavor remain intact.
—Katie Parla, Saveur, 30 Oct. 2025
The larger of the two buildings, dubbed Havana, will rise to a height of 180 m (590 ft), while the shorter one, Philadelphia, will reach a more modest 82 m (269 ft).
—New Atlas, 30 Oct. 2025
Sanders spent much of training camp working with the second unit and logged only modest preseason snaps, signaling the Browns see him as a developmental option rather than an immediate starter.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for modest
Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 31 Oct. 2025
The base is thin and crisp, the cheese modest, and the vegetables raw and dressed, layered on post-bake so their texture and flavor remain intact.
—Katie Parla, Saveur, 30 Oct. 2025
The larger of the two buildings, dubbed Havana, will rise to a height of 180 m (590 ft), while the shorter one, Philadelphia, will reach a more modest 82 m (269 ft).
—New Atlas, 30 Oct. 2025
Sanders spent much of training camp working with the second unit and logged only modest preseason snaps, signaling the Browns see him as a developmental option rather than an immediate starter.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for modest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modest
Adjective
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The health research nonprofit KFF said the amount people pay for coverage will rise by 114 percent on average.—
Nathaniel Weixel,
The Hill,
6 Nov. 2025
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At the same time, employer health benefit plans are also predicted to see an average increase of over 6 percent in cost next year.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Such is life in Marthaland, where homemaking tasks are plucked from the realm of everyday drudgery and elevated to a pure pursuit of excellence.—
Hannah Goldfield,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
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To this end, while the loss of two aircraft in short order seems suspicious, it could be explained through pure chance.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The 52 catches are the most ever by a UM true freshman — surpassing Ahmmon Richards’ mark of 49 set in the 2016 season — and are seven shy of tying Eddie Brown’s mark of 59 in the 1984 season for 10th all-time in Hurricanes history.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
2 Nov. 2025
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The coaching staff needs to view playing these young forwards as an investment, especially considering some of the shy offence being delivered by veterans like Trent Frederic.—
Allan Mitchell,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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From bright, bold hard-shell spinners to the humble duffel bag, carry-on luggage comes in seemingly endless varieties.—
Sal Vaglica,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
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Well, maybe not cheering, exactly, but at least nodding in mild appreciation at a movie that realizes its humble and happy purpose.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The median annual price tag for a private bedroom in assisted living exceeded $64,000.—
Marisa Peñaloza,
NPR,
2 Nov. 2025
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Moral stain aside, does anyone think such an injection of campus-style activism into the practical business of running the world's financial capital would actually benefit the median New Yorker?—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Many reviewers credited the beach’s immaculate facilities and amenities— including bathrooms, charcoal grills, tables, and picnic pavilions—for making their visits true trips to paradise.—
Lydia Price,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Oct. 2025
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But with Mayfield playing immaculate hero ball, those issues are less important than the fact that Tampa’s young (and now injured) secondary is exactly the type of game the Lions prefer to hunt.—
J.J. Bailey,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Set in Taiwan in 1988, Girl revolves around Hsiao-lee, a quiet and withdrawn girl, growing up in silent gloom.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
5 Aug. 2025
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Unfortunately, further discussions were heated, with no resolve, just more withdrawn behavior while the communications continued.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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This meek performance prompted a furious reaction from the fanbase.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
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Tessa Thompson stars as the willful heroine, married to a rather meek academic, George Tesman (Tom Bateman), who’s angling for an important university position.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Modest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modest. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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