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
Pinckney’s path to business began modestly.
—
Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
In recent months, tariffs modestly contributed to the uptick in overall inflation, analysts previously told ABC News, but overall price increases owed largely to a rise in housing and food products with little connection to Trump’s levies.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
Researchers also flagged potential health concerns related to working long hours; there is evidence that very long workweeks of 55 hours or more may modestly increase risks of stroke and heart disease.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Some steps in the report can presumably be accomplished quickly, and may indeed improve America’s health, even if modestly.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 11 Sep. 2025
Shares of Amazon were modestly higher Thursday.
—Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
The modestly talented quarterback burst onto the scene in Week 1 in Indianapolis’ blowout win over Miami.
—Kevin Cusick, Twin Cities, 10 Sep. 2025
Reclaiming Agency By Managing Your Online Presence Intentionally downplaying appearance by using unfiltered photos or presenting themselves more modestly than in real life can help users filter out people who are only interested in surface-level attraction.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Both books sold modestly, and eventually Viking let the rights revert.
—Paul Slovak
september 8, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
In recent months, tariffs modestly contributed to the uptick in overall inflation, analysts previously told ABC News, but overall price increases owed largely to a rise in housing and food products with little connection to Trump’s levies.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
Researchers also flagged potential health concerns related to working long hours; there is evidence that very long workweeks of 55 hours or more may modestly increase risks of stroke and heart disease.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Some steps in the report can presumably be accomplished quickly, and may indeed improve America’s health, even if modestly.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 11 Sep. 2025
Shares of Amazon were modestly higher Thursday.
—Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
The modestly talented quarterback burst onto the scene in Week 1 in Indianapolis’ blowout win over Miami.
—Kevin Cusick, Twin Cities, 10 Sep. 2025
Reclaiming Agency By Managing Your Online Presence Intentionally downplaying appearance by using unfiltered photos or presenting themselves more modestly than in real life can help users filter out people who are only interested in surface-level attraction.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Both books sold modestly, and eventually Viking let the rights revert.
—Paul Slovak
september 8, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modestly
Adverb
-
Unlike its sprawling neighbor, Riverside Church, a few streets over, Broadway Presbyterian stands humbly on a fraction of sidewalk, with a mere four stairs leading up to its fire-engine-red doors.—
Paige Williams,
New Yorker,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Founded in 1896, the club began humbly with a nine-hole layout near Tralee before moving to Fenit Island, where golfers played against the backdrop of Barrow Harbour.—
Jeff Goudy,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
The viral clip begins with the wife innocently posing for a photo at the airport near a large window overlooking a plane.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
-
This game started innocently with a scoreless first period.—
Kevin J. Farmer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
State your case clearly and as politely as possible.—
Ross Kernez,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Despite shooting down any suggestions of infidelity, she’s continued to field the questions and comments, responding politely to the seemingly never-ending queries.—
Sara Belcher,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Nick, who was dressed in a crisp two-piece suit and black dress shoes, later emerges from the pool and sheepishly walks over to James to greet her.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
12 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
Face washing allows for thorough cleansing if done properly, which allows the skin to better absorb moisturizers or treatments that may be applied afterwards.—
Sohaib Imtiaz,
Verywell Health,
16 Sep. 2025
-
This ensures both assistive technologies and AI engines can interpret your content’s structure properly.—
Ran Ronen,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
While not purely hypercarnivorous, many Mongol groups likely got over 70% of their calories from animal products during long stretches, especially when on military campaigns or in winter.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
While some VCs like IQ Capital have pivoted to focus more intently on defense, others are being set up in Europe purely to hunt for opportunities in the sector.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
12 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
City succumbed too meekly given their spine included Ruben Dias, John Stones, Rodri and Haaland at the end of the match.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
1 Sep. 2025
-
United finished 15th in the Premier League, their lowest league position since they were relegated in 1974, and surrendered meekly to Tottenham in the Europa League final.—
Dan Cancian,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
Ukraine’s resilience proves that authoritarian tactics ultimately fail not just militarily but economically and morally.—
Ken Silverstein,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Foster’s role is certainly not cut from the same cloth — far darker and more morally fraught.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Modestly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modestly. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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