1
as in average
being about midway between extremes of amount or size
he was awarded a modest pension when he retired
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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
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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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
Beijing’s new pledge to cut greenhouse gas emissions 7–10% below its peak by 2035 looks modest against the demands of climate science.
—
Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 3 Oct. 2025
According to her findings, although two-parent Black families had improved outcomes versus their peers from single-parent homes, the improvement was generally modest.
—Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
The team’s simulations showed that, while DDE has modest effects on its own, variations in parameters like matter density significantly influence galaxy formation and cosmic structure.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
The unit offers modest amenities like televisions, table tennis, and limited exercise space, but remains tightly regulated.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for modest
Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 3 Oct. 2025
According to her findings, although two-parent Black families had improved outcomes versus their peers from single-parent homes, the improvement was generally modest.
—Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025
The team’s simulations showed that, while DDE has modest effects on its own, variations in parameters like matter density significantly influence galaxy formation and cosmic structure.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2025
The unit offers modest amenities like televisions, table tennis, and limited exercise space, but remains tightly regulated.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for modest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modest
Adjective
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Residents here have above average educational backgrounds and the higher incomes that accompany them.—
John Wisely,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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While the average cruise length is around seven days, short sailings can pack an entire vacation’s worth of fun into a mid-week getaway or long weekend.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But Russell’s performance was a beam of pure light, burning off any condescension.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
6 Oct. 2025
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And while the Picoult engages a tougher subject (a school shooting and its fallout), the other three titles in this crop are pure romantasy.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Broncos took possession at the 5-minute mark in the second half, converted one third down and then were stopped one yard shy on their next third down.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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One model skipped, some walked barefoot, others were shy.—
Jennifer Weil,
Footwear News,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Established by friends and opticians Graham Cutler and Tony Gross in 1969, the duo’s firm quickly exploded in popularity well beyond its humble premises at 16 Knightsbridge Green.—
Oren Hartov,
Robb Report,
7 Oct. 2025
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The humble soybean has become a flashpoint in the trade war between the world’s two largest economies after Beijing ceased all purchases from the US.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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According to figures from a housing assessment released this April, the median house value in Fayetteville has grown 275% in the last two decades, and the median gross rent has increased 78%.—
Juan Cordoba,
Arkansas Online,
5 Oct. 2025
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According to Larson’s book, from 2009 to 2014, romance authors’ median income from books increased by 73 percent.—
Rebecca Ackermann,
The Atlantic,
5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Our field was immaculate and our team always looked great; first-class uniforms.—
John Maffei,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Sep. 2025
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Kyle Schwarber's fit with the Philadelphia Phillies is immaculate, but 29 other teams will get the chance to bid on him this winter anyway.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 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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Doherty, 30, is playing meek flower shop assistant Seymour in the treasured musical, about a strange and unusual plant that feeds only on human flesh and blood.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
18 Sep. 2025
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What threatened to be a meek, straight-sets exit for the 13th seed went full-metal crazy on match point down when Bonzi was interrupted from serving it out after a photographer absent-mindedly walked onto the court.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Modest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modest. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
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