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
Aspiring home buyers can look forward to a modestly more favorable real estate market heading into the spring house-hunting season.
—
Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
Interest rates below 6% will have a positive psychological effect on home buyers and modestly increase the pool of buyers.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2026
Financial vulnerability in Cook County has declined modestly since 2022, with fewer households reporting having less than a week of savings and fewer lacking confidence in reaching long-term goals.
—Jennifer Tescher, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Even a truly novel, lifesaving antibiotic will be used sparingly, priced modestly, and ultimately displaced by generics.
—Henry Skinner, STAT, 5 Mar. 2026
Defense stocks in the region also rose, though more modestly.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 1 Mar. 2026
By all accounts, Khamenei lived modestly.
—Karl Vick, Time, 28 Feb. 2026
Kombucha may modestly alter the gut microbiota.
—Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 26 Feb. 2026
While more modestly sized than some of its rivals, this sub features tender meatballs (fennel sausage also available), a bright arrabbiata sauce, requisite mozzarella and basil.
—Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 26 Feb. 2026
Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
Interest rates below 6% will have a positive psychological effect on home buyers and modestly increase the pool of buyers.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2026
Financial vulnerability in Cook County has declined modestly since 2022, with fewer households reporting having less than a week of savings and fewer lacking confidence in reaching long-term goals.
—Jennifer Tescher, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
Even a truly novel, lifesaving antibiotic will be used sparingly, priced modestly, and ultimately displaced by generics.
—Henry Skinner, STAT, 5 Mar. 2026
Defense stocks in the region also rose, though more modestly.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 1 Mar. 2026
By all accounts, Khamenei lived modestly.
—Karl Vick, Time, 28 Feb. 2026
Kombucha may modestly alter the gut microbiota.
—Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 26 Feb. 2026
While more modestly sized than some of its rivals, this sub features tender meatballs (fennel sausage also available), a bright arrabbiata sauce, requisite mozzarella and basil.
—Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 26 Feb. 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 mistake begins innocently enough.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The story starts innocently enough.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
15 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
What Muller is flagging, politely, almost generously, is that policy unpredictability is now doing more damage than hardship.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
9 Mar. 2026
-
The case exposed the depressing banality of it all—the man smiling politely at you at the bakery, only to rape your comatose body at night.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Liu sheepishly turned and applauded the 17-year-old Nakai, who raced over and hugged her.—
Dave Skretta,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Hisatsune sent roars through the stadium par-3 16th by sinking a 7-foot birdie putt and smiled sheepishly at his chip in on 17 after hitting his tee shot left into the pond.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
According to the complaint, the historically Black university failed to maintain adequate security and did not properly respond to warnings about potential violence.—
Frederick Sutton Sinclair,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The screen installed on the door was not properly constructed to prevent pest entry, as the mesh openings were excessively large.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Princess Bride is superbly planned and deferentially orchestrated — its theme fits its telling.—
Duane Byrge,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
So a large chunk of our desktop products are sold to our largest customers on a purely consumptive basis.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The tub becomes less about necessity and more about intention, signaling that the bathroom is a retreat rather than a purely functional room.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
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
-
Moreover, the notion the public will meekly accept weaker radiation standards without explanation seems foolhardy.—
Katy Huff,
Scientific American,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Modestly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modestly. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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