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
The 16-inch display has a modest 1,920 by 1,200 resolution and, thanks to the rapid 480Hz refresh rate, is best suited for competitive multiplayer games rather than blockbusters.
—
Jade Chung-Lee, PC Magazine, 24 June 2025
Since counterforce targeting is driven by the composition and not the size of adversaries’ nuclear arsenals, this would require only a modest adjustment to account for China’s growing ICBM silos.
—Vipin Narang, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Denver Public Schools and the district’s teachers union have reached a tentative deal on a new contract that, if approved, will give educators modest raises over the next three years.
—Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 24 June 2025
In all likelihood, the impact now would be less than in the past because our oil trade balance is positive; net exports, at 2 million barrels per day, will translate into modest but significant economic benefits.
—Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for modest
Jade Chung-Lee, PC Magazine, 24 June 2025
Since counterforce targeting is driven by the composition and not the size of adversaries’ nuclear arsenals, this would require only a modest adjustment to account for China’s growing ICBM silos.
—Vipin Narang, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Denver Public Schools and the district’s teachers union have reached a tentative deal on a new contract that, if approved, will give educators modest raises over the next three years.
—Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 24 June 2025
In all likelihood, the impact now would be less than in the past because our oil trade balance is positive; net exports, at 2 million barrels per day, will translate into modest but significant economic benefits.
—Michael Lynch, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for modest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modest
Adjective
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His ratings have been profitable 69% of the time, delivering an average return of 29.6%.—
TipRanks.com Staff,
CNBC,
15 June 2025
-
Five holes played to an average score under par for the day, including the gettable stretch of Nos. 4-6.—
Justin Ray,
New York Times,
15 June 2025
Adjective
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This mocktail is pure indulgence with a playful twist.—
Essence,
Essence,
17 June 2025
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The fuel running this sleek, aerodynamic speedster of a movie is 100-percent pure star power.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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Clark finished with 32 points, three shy of her career high.—
Ben Pickman,
New York Times,
15 June 2025
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Trump, who has never been shy about getting even with his enemies, even turned to the Justice Department.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
15 June 2025
Adjective
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This journey from her humble beginnings to icon makes sense for a contemporary audience in terms of the pop stars of today, those iconic people in popular culture.—
Sarah Crompton,
Vogue,
16 June 2025
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Both men – Yousafzai, an education activist born in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, and Ranjit, a farmer of humble origins in a remote area of India – break from the traditions of their cultures by advocating forcefully for their daughters.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
15 June 2025
Adjective
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The growth in median car payments is outpacing both new and used car prices, according to separate data from Bank of America.—
Jessica Dickler,
CNBC,
16 June 2025
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In 2010, the economists Darrick Hamilton, who is now at the New School, and William Darity, Jr., of Duke, outlined a plan to create interest-bearing government trust accounts for children who were born into families that fell below the median net worth.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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An immaculate inning is far rarer than a pitcher throwing a no-hitter, which has been done 326 times, or a batter hitting for the cycle, which has been done 349 times.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 June 2025
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Miami Marlins pitcher Cal Quantrill's immaculate inning last month was the most recent time it's happened in a major league game.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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Hayk, a withdrawn and aloof child, lives on a farm with his aunt Narine and gets mocked and called strange by others.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2025
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For children, especially, these stressors can quickly lead to meltdowns or withdrawn behavior.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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From small and relatively meek beginnings, proboscideans eventually evolved into herbivorous, elephantine giants with a broad array of different tusk arrangements and shapes.—
Riley Black,
Smithsonian Magazine,
3 Apr. 2025
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That confidence paid off as Farrow received her first Tony nomination for her role as the initially meek homebody Sharon in the play by Jen Silverman, which ran at the Booth Theatre on Broadway from September through December 2024.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
31 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Modest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modest. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.
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