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
These laws expand property rights (albeit modestly), because in this case locals are more freedom-averse than the state.
—
Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
The most recent Los Angeles County Quality of Life Index survey out of UCLA shows perception of public safety losing ground even as property crime has decreased modestly over the same period.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Bank of America global research found that pet adoptions slowed in the first half of 2025, with dog adoptions declining modestly year over year and cat adoptions staying stable.
—Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 28 May 2026
Based on an analysis of 2,300 public companies, Deloitte found that while cash conversion cycles improved modestly in 2025, many gains were driven by short-term levers rather than structural change.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 27 May 2026
The publishing happens, their audience grows modestly, and nothing converts.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
This movie, comparatively, was more modestly priced.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 26 May 2026
On Tuesday, at least, their fates diverged, with CrowdStrike up almost 2% and Palo Alto pulling back modestly.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 26 May 2026
Cinnamon and cinnamon extracts have been reported in multiple trials and reviews to modestly lower fasting glucose and hemoglobin A1c (average blood sugar level over two or three months) in some people.
—Sara Hoffman, Verywell Health, 20 May 2026
Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
The most recent Los Angeles County Quality of Life Index survey out of UCLA shows perception of public safety losing ground even as property crime has decreased modestly over the same period.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Bank of America global research found that pet adoptions slowed in the first half of 2025, with dog adoptions declining modestly year over year and cat adoptions staying stable.
—Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 28 May 2026
Based on an analysis of 2,300 public companies, Deloitte found that while cash conversion cycles improved modestly in 2025, many gains were driven by short-term levers rather than structural change.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 27 May 2026
The publishing happens, their audience grows modestly, and nothing converts.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
This movie, comparatively, was more modestly priced.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 26 May 2026
On Tuesday, at least, their fates diverged, with CrowdStrike up almost 2% and Palo Alto pulling back modestly.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 26 May 2026
Cinnamon and cinnamon extracts have been reported in multiple trials and reviews to modestly lower fasting glucose and hemoglobin A1c (average blood sugar level over two or three months) in some people.
—Sara Hoffman, Verywell Health, 20 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modestly
Adverb
-
Some films herald the scope of their ambitions from the opening frame, whereas others start humbly with a mastery that slowly comes to the fore.—
Sophie Monks Kaufman,
IndieWire,
20 May 2026
-
Intricate details of both spacecraft stages, down to some individual rivets, can be seen along the spacecraft hulls, while Earth hangs humbly in the background on the bottom half of the frame.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
18 May 2026
Adverb
-
There’s a particularly tragic scene where Natalia, lured on holiday by Elsa, spots a small child innocently giggling at the table across from her at dinner.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
-
For the person who innocently took her rugby kit to the hospital four years ago, representing her country would feel like a just reward for Balogun’s perseverance and strength of will.—
George Ramsay,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
Adverb
-
If the person politely requests one, that’s OK.—
Attia Qureshi,
Time,
1 June 2026
-
Dred Scott was not politely corrected by the Court.—
Natashia Deon,
Oc Register,
31 May 2026
Adverb
-
The 22-year-old sheepishly asked if Tarasenko could help him with his laundry.—
Joe Smith,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
-
Lateef sheepishly raked his hand through his hair.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Supervisors have awarded grants to groups that have run afoul of state rules for charities, and some grants have lacked documentation showing they were properly spent.—
Kristen Taketa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 May 2026
-
One of the most common is blossom end rot, which can also be avoided by properly caring for your plants.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 May 2026
Adverb
-
Precedent thus gave the judge reason to deferentially review settlement terms.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
15 May 2026
-
Scorsese shoots them beautifully and deferentially.—
Matt Weinstock,
New Yorker,
25 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
The transaction no longer felt purely functional.—
Kate Hardcastle,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
Ironically, this one gets a huge reaction from the dress rehearsal audience and seems to have been cut purely for logistical reasons.—
Jesse Hassenger,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 May 2026
Adverb
-
Whether a man chose to use that pistol or meekly give up the money to a robber was up to him.—
Richard Selcer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Apr. 2026
-
That was checkmate, as Martinez grounded out meekly to end the season.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Modestly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modestly. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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