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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

Synonym Chooser

How is the word modest distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of modest are chaste, decent, and pure. While all these words mean "free from all taint of what is lewd or salacious," modest and decent apply especially to deportment and dress as outward signs of inward chastity or purity.

preferred more modest swimsuits
decent people didn't go to such movies

When is it sensible to use chaste instead of modest?

While the synonyms chaste and modest are close in meaning, chaste primarily implies a refraining from acts or even thoughts or desires that are not virginal or not sanctioned by marriage vows.

they maintained chaste relations

How do pure and chaste relate to one another, in the sense of modest?

Pure differs from chaste in implying innocence and absence of temptation rather than control of one's impulses and actions.

the pure of heart

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 Despite its relatively modest size – 1,900 square feet – 708 felt expansive, filled with light, color, and laughter. Ed Massey, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Jan. 2025 The limited amount of existing home inventory has provided builders with a modest boost heading into 2025, with new home sales increasing 3.6% in December, according to federal data. Austin Denean, Baltimore Sun, 31 Jan. 2025 Its modest storefront entrance gives way to a long tropical deck out back that overlooks an inlet on the canal that flows into the Intracoastal Waterway. John Oseid, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025 More:Melania Trump sports dark, modest outfit for Inauguration ceremony What did Ivanka Trump wear to the inauguration? Sam Woodward, USA TODAY, 21 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for modest 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modest
Adjective
  • Wolfe Research has estimated a 25% tariff would add about $3,000 to the average cost of vehicles sold in the U.S.
    William Gavin, Quartz, 3 Feb. 2025
  • Overall, the study found that increases in average temperature, winter temperature and living density, alongside decreases in vegetation and funding for rat control, correlates with faster urban rat expansion.
    Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The diffuser uses 100% pure essential oils to fragrance your home, and its matte ceramic finish fits into any space like a piece of sophisticated decor.
    Annie Blackman, Allure, 24 Jan. 2025
  • This design was first launched in yellow gold with a silver dial, and this configuration remains the purest expression of the asymmetrical concept.
    Blake Buettner, Robb Report, 24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Ovechkin began this season with 853 goals — 41 shy of Gretzky’s 894 — and got off to a great start before missing time with an injury in December and slowing down a bit since his return.
    Dom Luszczyszyn, The Athletic, 2 Feb. 2025
  • Powell, left off the initial All-Star reserves list despite averaging a team-high 24 points per game on 49.4% shooting, said what Harden does with a basketball is just shy of magical for the Clippers (27-20), who currently are sixth in the Western Conference.
    Janis Carr, Orange County Register, 30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Liang Wenfeng hires young people and bookworms for his engineering team, and is described as a humble and nerdy leader.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2025
  • Amy Schumer isn't just humble about her fame, she's shocked by it.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The median price for homes soared to a record $407,500.
    Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 24 Jan. 2025
  • The median price of an existing home, meanwhile, has climbed for 18 months straight, reaching a record high of $407,500 in 2024.
    Bryan Mena, CNN, 24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Aside from an immaculate transfer that perfectly preserves the textured, vibrant cinematography by Gale Tattersall, the disc boasts hours of extra features that are all terrific and provide unique insights into the film’s making, reception, and meaning.
    Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 28 Jan. 2025
  • Less than a two-hour drive from New York City, the 30-room luxury hotel does not skimp on the details, from the immaculate turndown service to the excellent culinary program led by Executive Chef Roel Alcudia.
    Ariel Okin, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The expressions on these youthful figures are intent and heartfelt: obedient, frightened, absorbed, wary, withdrawn, cruel, proud, sly, or shy.
    Michael Bracewell, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2025
  • Pettersson is more withdrawn, more cerebral, more sensitive and certainly not prone to confrontation by nature.
    Chris Johnston, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Each tree has promised itself right up from the ground, branches full of dying... Elegy Written In A City Cemetery Sina Queyras Somebody left the world last night, and last, and last, and last: wild is the glower of wind, and words too thin, too meek to shelter.
    Max Ufberg, hazlitt.net, 10 Jan. 2025
  • He was supposed to be a meek guy who doesn’t speak up.
    Josh Weiss, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near modest

Cite this Entry

“Modest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modest. Accessed 7 Feb. 2025.

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