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
In 2022, Phillips went modestly viral on social media with a poem, nearly every line of which contained the phrase Let them.
—
Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026
But don’t overlook that California’s construction efforts have modestly mitigated the pain in the wallet.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
On this modestly sized stage, head chefs Avinandan Kundu and Koyel Roy Nandy display their skills and tell stories of Bengal through a 13-course tasting menu with cocktails that pair perfectly.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Stock futures are modestly lower this morning after the S & P 500 and tech-heavy Nasdaq closed yesterday at record highs on an Iran war ceasefire extension.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
Since heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States—and dementia significantly impacts both quality and length of life —anything that meaningfully reduces risk, even modestly, matters in the longevity conversation.
—Michele Ross, SELF, 22 Apr. 2026
The elders here are generally all of a piece—stoic, patient, dressed as simply and modestly as possible.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2026
Polls and pundits believe Democrats are modestly favored to win the statewide referendum that is aimed at rejiggering district lines to transform the blue-trending state’s delegation from a 6-5 Democratic edge to a likely 10-1 juggernaut.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026
In non-CinemaCon news, the looksmaxx influencer managed to unite the internets in mocking his dew-eyed meltdown and interview walk-off over being asked modestly difficult questions about his reputation (instead of being asked, say, which moisturizer is best for post-jaw hammering).
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2026
Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026
But don’t overlook that California’s construction efforts have modestly mitigated the pain in the wallet.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 24 Apr. 2026
On this modestly sized stage, head chefs Avinandan Kundu and Koyel Roy Nandy display their skills and tell stories of Bengal through a 13-course tasting menu with cocktails that pair perfectly.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Stock futures are modestly lower this morning after the S & P 500 and tech-heavy Nasdaq closed yesterday at record highs on an Iran war ceasefire extension.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2026
Since heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States—and dementia significantly impacts both quality and length of life —anything that meaningfully reduces risk, even modestly, matters in the longevity conversation.
—Michele Ross, SELF, 22 Apr. 2026
The elders here are generally all of a piece—stoic, patient, dressed as simply and modestly as possible.
—Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2026
Polls and pundits believe Democrats are modestly favored to win the statewide referendum that is aimed at rejiggering district lines to transform the blue-trending state’s delegation from a 6-5 Democratic edge to a likely 10-1 juggernaut.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026
In non-CinemaCon news, the looksmaxx influencer managed to unite the internets in mocking his dew-eyed meltdown and interview walk-off over being asked modestly difficult questions about his reputation (instead of being asked, say, which moisturizer is best for post-jaw hammering).
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modestly
Adverb
-
Our journey began humbly in 1983 with high-stakes bingo.—
Cody J Martinez,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The archbishop knocks on the door with a pastoral staff and humbly requests admission to the cathedral.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
25 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Her pictures, which start innocently enough from the puppy-dog idea, get increasingly demeaning.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
20 Apr. 2026
-
After innocently coming up in the scene by posting songs on Soundcloud, Slayyyter finally signed to a major label last year.—
Selena Fragassi,
SPIN,
1 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Ferrentino writes her in fairly rote terms as a bleeding-heart doctoral student in poetry, and has her politely recede as the play goes on.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Allison Williams sat nearby in a pewter gown, politely introducing herself to her neighbors.—
Elise Taylor,
Vanity Fair,
15 Apr. 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
-
This allows residents to store and properly age a broader collection in a secure, professionally maintained environment.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Be sure to properly discard all smoking materials.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Apr. 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
-
Rather than learning purely from real-world trial and error, these systems absorb the rules of physics through simulation, practicing in digital environments where failure is cheap and fast.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
-
From a purely political standpoint, none of the sextet scored some point that will reverberate enough to change the dynamics of the campaign.—
Dan Walters,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 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 26 Apr. 2026.
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