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
The broad market index started the day modestly higher, touching a new all-time intraday high, before fizzling a bit and trading near the flatline.
—
Kevin Stankiewicz,morgan Chittum, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2025
Artists and songwriters could earn a decent living with an album that sold even modestly.
—Roy Trakin, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
Analysts warn a prolonged government shutdown and layoffs could hurt GDP and spur earlier Fed rate cuts, but markets historically fluctuate only modestly during shutdowns.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Because every panel is produced by hand and made-to-order, a modestly sized 12-foot by 14-foot room can take dozens of artists up to two months to complete, at an average cost of about $16,000.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2025
Opening his monologue, Kimmel modestly reacted to his audience's generous welcome.
—Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
The Methodists intended it for widows and retired ministers, and the lots were modestly sized, with houses set close.
—Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
And Indy has been blessed with one of the league’s lighter schedules, including this week’s matchup against modestly talented Tennessee.
—Kevin Cusick, Twin Cities, 21 Sep. 2025
FedEx forecasts the division’s revenue to be flat-to-up modestly year over year, depending largely on the market conditions in the second half of the year.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 19 Sep. 2025
Kevin Stankiewicz,morgan Chittum, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2025
Artists and songwriters could earn a decent living with an album that sold even modestly.
—Roy Trakin, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
Analysts warn a prolonged government shutdown and layoffs could hurt GDP and spur earlier Fed rate cuts, but markets historically fluctuate only modestly during shutdowns.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Because every panel is produced by hand and made-to-order, a modestly sized 12-foot by 14-foot room can take dozens of artists up to two months to complete, at an average cost of about $16,000.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2025
Opening his monologue, Kimmel modestly reacted to his audience's generous welcome.
—Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
The Methodists intended it for widows and retired ministers, and the lots were modestly sized, with houses set close.
—Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
And Indy has been blessed with one of the league’s lighter schedules, including this week’s matchup against modestly talented Tennessee.
—Kevin Cusick, Twin Cities, 21 Sep. 2025
FedEx forecasts the division’s revenue to be flat-to-up modestly year over year, depending largely on the market conditions in the second half of the year.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modestly
Adverb
-
Greenidge puts her aims even more humbly.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
16 Sep. 2025
-
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
Adverb
-
In a thriller, the suspense is built around a challenge posed to the protagonist — the last big score before retiring, being innocently accused of a crime or accidentally getting involved in something dangerous and deadly.—
Anders de la Motte,
PEOPLE,
28 Sep. 2025
-
That play started innocently enough.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Kerr spoke for the first time on Tuesday, an hour or so before news of Kuminga’s new deal broke, answering only a few questions about the 22-year-old forward’s status before politely declining to answer anything else until the contract negotiations were settled.—
Nick Friedell,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The queen greeted this insane question with a politely regal stare, ignored my faux pas, and continued talking about financial inclusion.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Outside the house, Jake finally gets a hold of Anna, and sheepishly threatens to fire her in a way that suggests our guy doesn’t exactly maintain professional boundaries with his attractive young staffers.—
Andy Andersen,
Vulture,
18 Sep. 2025
-
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
-
The most exciting feature is the realistic mask, though, which has mesh eyes for kids to see through while trick-or-treating, and an adjustable strap to fit their head properly.—
Katrina Cossey,
Parents,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Excess moisture will cause quicker spoilage or keep them from browning properly.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
30 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Princess Bride is superbly planned and deferentially orchestrated — its theme fits its telling.—
Duane Byrge,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Items can be either purely cosmetic or allow players to advance more quickly through a game.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
-
There were several who offered workarounds, however, with some saying to use the physical shops purely to check sizing.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Adverb
-
Finishing last season with 91 points while meekly bowing out in the first round doesn’t help that perception.—
The Athletic NHL,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 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
Cite this Entry
“Modestly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modestly. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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