1
as in humbly
in a manner showing no signs of pride or self-assertion
spoke modestly about his accomplishments as an entrepreneur
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in innocently
with purity of thought and deed
dressed modestly to go to church
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of modestly
Defensive stocks outperformed more economically sensitive cyclical stocks, while the Polymarket odds of the US recession in 2026 rose modestly to 22%.
—
Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
The renovation started modestly with paint and new floors, but the owners soon tackled more ambitious projects.
—Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026
Since Tucker’s return, growth has continued to decline to high single digits and while margins have improved modestly, the company’s stock is down another 24%.
—Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 24 Jan. 2026
The study reported that PSA screening does modestly prevent prostate cancer deaths, but only after a large amount of testing, and with clear collateral harm.
—Howard Wolinsky, STAT, 21 Jan. 2026
Khamenei is known to live modestly, and sometimes deep underground.
—Karl Vick, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
In this model, policymakers adjust course—sometimes modestly, sometimes not at all—while workers, small-business owners, jobseekers, and caregivers are expected to weather the turbulence.
—Gene Ludwig, Fortune, 11 Jan. 2026
Glenn modestly tucked her hair behind her ears.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2026
ApartmentList’s city figures show rents in fire-distant markets are modestly more stable, a hint that wildfires created rental demand farther away from the fire zone.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026
Bill Stone, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
The renovation started modestly with paint and new floors, but the owners soon tackled more ambitious projects.
—Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026
Since Tucker’s return, growth has continued to decline to high single digits and while margins have improved modestly, the company’s stock is down another 24%.
—Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 24 Jan. 2026
The study reported that PSA screening does modestly prevent prostate cancer deaths, but only after a large amount of testing, and with clear collateral harm.
—Howard Wolinsky, STAT, 21 Jan. 2026
Khamenei is known to live modestly, and sometimes deep underground.
—Karl Vick, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
In this model, policymakers adjust course—sometimes modestly, sometimes not at all—while workers, small-business owners, jobseekers, and caregivers are expected to weather the turbulence.
—Gene Ludwig, Fortune, 11 Jan. 2026
Glenn modestly tucked her hair behind her ears.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2026
ApartmentList’s city figures show rents in fire-distant markets are modestly more stable, a hint that wildfires created rental demand farther away from the fire zone.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modestly
Adverb
-
The drive The test took place humbly in downtown Los Angeles, mostly – no race tracks or solo three-lane highway sojourns.—
Josh Max,
Forbes.com,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Theirs started humbly, and a bit unexpectedly.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
The story starts innocently enough.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
15 Jan. 2026
-
What began as innocently wagering ten or twenty bucks on games escalated to putting $5,000 on long-shot parlays, day after day.—
Vanity Fair,
Vanity Fair,
12 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
What behaves politely in one climate or situation can become problematic in another, such as a garden abutting an open landscape.—
Erica Browne Grivas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Beckford later asked politely to try on my jacket—a black Double RL officer’s coat from the 90 —and noticed the tags and buttons of a bygone era.—
Zachary Weiss,
Vanity Fair,
18 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Shields, 62, sheepishly joked after two false starts.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
28 Nov. 2025
-
An engineer with a litter-picker grabbed the fallen cloth and sheepishly moved it behind the machine, out of my line of sight.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
14 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
This timing is meant to ensure the pill absorbs properly, McCoy explained.—
Jenna Anderson,
Health,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Keep in mind that firm menstrual cups are more likely to open properly after being inserted.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Princess Bride is superbly planned and deferentially orchestrated — its theme fits its telling.—
Duane Byrge,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Price competition will be aggressive, margins will be under pressure, and differentiation based purely on scale or cost will continue to erode.—
Peter Bendor-Samuel,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
These individual mats differ from the main mahjong mat and are purely meant to make gameplay easier—providing a smooth, flat surface that helps reduce noise and protect the tiles and the table underneath.—
Cori Sears,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Moreover, the notion the public will meekly accept weaker radiation standards without explanation seems foolhardy.—
Katy Huff,
Scientific American,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Ball handlers would dribble close to the basket, only to meekly back away, sensing him looming.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
17 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Modestly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modestly. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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