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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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The ground in south Florida has been, on average, 81.8 per cent full during its six games hosted so far.—
Will Jeanes,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
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It’s almost always detected via a routine prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, a screening blood test that most men undergo every couple of years or so starting around age 50 for those with average risk.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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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
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This mocktail is pure indulgence with a playful twist.—
Essence,
Essence,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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However, Wicked arrived on Peacock on March 21, just shy of four months after the film opened in theaters.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
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And Prim Rose is a 1-year-old girl who is energetic yet a little shy and has been waiting for a forever family since January.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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These humble movie moments have now become the foundation of a trending dinner party format.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 June 2025
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The company remains true to the humble ethic of hard work and friendly customer service embodied by the founding family.—
Emma Marsden,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 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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On the west side, the median sale price is $461,000.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
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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Often, people that indulge in this type of culture are considered anti-social or withdrawn, a stereotype that has been passed around for years.—
Dominick Williams,
Kansas City Star,
26 June 2025
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People become irritable, withdrawn, or hyper-independent.—
Barnaby Lashbrooke,
Forbes.com,
23 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 2 Jul. 2025.
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