1
as in humbly
in a manner showing no signs of pride or self-assertion
spoke modestly about his accomplishments as an entrepreneur
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in innocently
with purity of thought and deed
dressed modestly to go to church
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of modestly
So far, air fares are only up modestly.
—
Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
In 2022, the VIX rose roughly 180% all in, which only is modestly more than the current move.
—Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2026
Certain Herbs May Help Lower Blood Pressure Indirectly Several culinary herbs contain compounds that may help modestly reduce blood pressure.
—Md Published, Verywell Health, 31 Mar. 2026
At the same time, the size of our workforce has only modestly declined, from 21,835 employees to 20,847, while operational costs have continued to increase.
—Howard Hepburn, Sun Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
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
Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
In 2022, the VIX rose roughly 180% all in, which only is modestly more than the current move.
—Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2026
Certain Herbs May Help Lower Blood Pressure Indirectly Several culinary herbs contain compounds that may help modestly reduce blood pressure.
—Md Published, Verywell Health, 31 Mar. 2026
At the same time, the size of our workforce has only modestly declined, from 21,835 employees to 20,847, while operational costs have continued to increase.
—Howard Hepburn, Sun Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
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
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
-
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
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
-
Shortly before launching his solo career in 1972, Thompson politely declined Don Henley and Glenn Frey’s overtures to join what soon became the Eagles.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
-
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
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
-
Everyone is urged to properly dispose of cigarette butts, matches, and any other flammable items in appropriate containers.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Shades of Apollo 13 The Artemis astronauts will orbit Earth for a day to make certain everything is working properly before igniting the main engine and heading for the moon.—
Marcia Dunn,
Chicago Tribune,
29 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
-
Her love of the game and drive to improve was coming purely from within.—
Charles Baggarly
April 2,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
-
One Emirati said people in the UAE want their military to impose a cost on Iran and are no longer satisfied with a purely defensive posture.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
1 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 5 Apr. 2026.
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