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
While revenue and profit topped first-quarter estimates, its second-quarter and full-year guidance only modestly exceeded Wall Street forecasts, and the stock slipped with the CEO transition announcement and as investors sought a more aggressive outlook.
—
Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026
Applications for unemployment benefits inched down modestly last week as layoffs remain at historically healthy levels despite a weakening job market.
—Matt Ott, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
Before this maneuver, localities would have shared in the modestly higher income-tax revenues the state is collecting.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Research shows that beetroot nitrates and hibiscus tea may modestly lower systolic blood pressure when consumed regularly.
—Lindsey Desoto, Health, 11 Mar. 2026
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
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
Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026
Applications for unemployment benefits inched down modestly last week as layoffs remain at historically healthy levels despite a weakening job market.
—Matt Ott, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
Before this maneuver, localities would have shared in the modestly higher income-tax revenues the state is collecting.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Research shows that beetroot nitrates and hibiscus tea may modestly lower systolic blood pressure when consumed regularly.
—Lindsey Desoto, Health, 11 Mar. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modestly
Adverb
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Successful outreach requires making effort to understand how religious adherents think, acknowledging their concerns, and humbly recognizing that medical knowledge is shaped by more than mere empiricism.—
Cory Anderson,
STAT,
6 Mar. 2026
-
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
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
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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
-
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
-
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
-
In other words, the sun may not have arrived in a life-friendly environment purely by chance, but rather as a consequence of the formation of the galactic bar.—
Charles Q. Choi,
Space.com,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Officials said Abu Dhabi’s posture in the war was purely defensive and would remain so, while reiterating the country’s right to defend its sovereignty.—
Abbas Al Lawati,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
That was checkmate, as Martinez grounded out meekly to end the season.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
4 Mar. 2026
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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 16 Mar. 2026.
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