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
Even as the cap increased modestly, sometimes even failing to keep up with inflation, the business of the WNBA didn’t always support a reimagination of the salary structure.
—
Shannon Ryan, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Still, critics have condemned these modestly sized green areas as a PR stunt, citing the high cost per square meter.
—Marie Patino, Bloomberg, 20 Mar. 2026
Mark not so modestly held up five fingers.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 18 Mar. 2026
By preventing glucose from being reabsorbed, SGLT2 inhibitors force more of it to exit the body through urine, reducing overall blood glucose and modestly reducing body weight.
—Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 17 Mar. 2026
CalPERS Chief Investment Officer Stephen Gilmore said the future pricing of oil, which has modestly increased since the start of the war, suggests that markets are assuming this conflict will be relatively short.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Drinking beet juice has also been shown to modestly lower blood pressure in several studies.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 16 Mar. 2026
While revenue and profit topped first-quarter estimates, its second-quarter and full-year guidance only modestly exceeded Wall Street forecasts, and the stock slipped with the CEO transition announcement and as investors sought a more aggressive outlook.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026
Applications for unemployment benefits inched down modestly last week as layoffs remain at historically healthy levels despite a weakening job market.
—Matt Ott, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
Shannon Ryan, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
Still, critics have condemned these modestly sized green areas as a PR stunt, citing the high cost per square meter.
—Marie Patino, Bloomberg, 20 Mar. 2026
Mark not so modestly held up five fingers.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 18 Mar. 2026
By preventing glucose from being reabsorbed, SGLT2 inhibitors force more of it to exit the body through urine, reducing overall blood glucose and modestly reducing body weight.
—Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 17 Mar. 2026
CalPERS Chief Investment Officer Stephen Gilmore said the future pricing of oil, which has modestly increased since the start of the war, suggests that markets are assuming this conflict will be relatively short.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Drinking beet juice has also been shown to modestly lower blood pressure in several studies.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 16 Mar. 2026
While revenue and profit topped first-quarter estimates, its second-quarter and full-year guidance only modestly exceeded Wall Street forecasts, and the stock slipped with the CEO transition announcement and as investors sought a more aggressive outlook.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026
Applications for unemployment benefits inched down modestly last week as layoffs remain at historically healthy levels despite a weakening job market.
—Matt Ott, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modestly
Adverb
-
When a coalition of figures assembled at a Georgetown University forum, in February, 2023, the former Crown Prince sat humbly in a row of eight, alongside two actresses, a soccer player, and an Iranian Kurdish separatist.—
Azadeh Moaveni,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Preston and Stacy have a 45-year-long romance that began humbly and has flourished as their family and finances have grown.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Bethenny Frankel was innocently applying a roller on her face to help with inflammation on Thursday on Instagram.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The mistake begins innocently enough.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
The scene plays out as if the actors are politely averting their eyes while performing, without conjuring the deep moral revulsion Wolfe and LaChiusa might’ve intended.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
19 Mar. 2026
-
To even the score, Weir’s novel describes ammonia-breathing Rocky as smelling like cat pee, an aside the script politely omits.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Kayumi then appeared to sheepishly shrink in his chair.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Liu sheepishly turned and applauded the 17-year-old Nakai, who raced over and hugged her.—
Dave Skretta,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
While you may be tempted to pull it out of the oven when the top starts to brown, taking the pastry past light golden edges ensures a crispy crust that’s properly cooked all the way through.—
Rebecca Firkser,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Amelirad said Mohammadi had participated in anti-government protests that erupted earlier that year when Mahsa Amini died in police custody after being detained for not wearing her headscarf properly.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Scorsese shoots them beautifully and deferentially.—
Matt Weinstock,
New Yorker,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Princess Bride is superbly planned and deferentially orchestrated — its theme fits its telling.—
Duane Byrge,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Instead of relying purely on hydration, this formula includes salicylic acid, which gently exfoliates and keeps pores clear so that breakouts don’t come back.—
Hana Hong,
Glamour,
25 Mar. 2026
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Any pressure here is purely about Izzo, 71, getting to that ninth semifinal and having another crack at a second championship as his Hall of Fame career winds down.—
Justin Williams,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
That was checkmate, as Martinez grounded out meekly to end the season.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Are members of Congress really supposed to sit meekly and quietly while the president uses the rostrum of their chamber to abuse and insult them in the ugliest language?—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Modestly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modestly. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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