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
His invention was modestly successful, acquired by Monsanto but ultimately rejected by the public for its subpar taste.
—
Alison Herman, Variety, 9 Apr. 2026
The story unfolds with Riley’s oldest son, Buddy, buying at a garage sale a set of old but never used golf clubs for his father, a golf journalist and a modestly capable player.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Mortgage rates have ticked down modestly from their peak, and affordability has improved for eight consecutive months, supported by income growth outpacing home price gains.
—Jessica Lautz, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2026
By 2024, hospitals were again gaining from this arrangement, albeit modestly.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 8 Apr. 2026
In the bond market, Treasury yields eased modestly.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
That 15-year mortgage refinance figure has ticked down modestly from last week, which may open a window for some homeowners who have been watching and waiting.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
So far, air fares are only up modestly.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
In a market increasingly focused on slowing growth, softer consumer spending, and more selective valuation discipline, Marriott looks vulnerable to a meaningful re-rating lower if execution slips even modestly.
—Tony Zhang, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2026
Alison Herman, Variety, 9 Apr. 2026
The story unfolds with Riley’s oldest son, Buddy, buying at a garage sale a set of old but never used golf clubs for his father, a golf journalist and a modestly capable player.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
Mortgage rates have ticked down modestly from their peak, and affordability has improved for eight consecutive months, supported by income growth outpacing home price gains.
—Jessica Lautz, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2026
By 2024, hospitals were again gaining from this arrangement, albeit modestly.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 8 Apr. 2026
In the bond market, Treasury yields eased modestly.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
That 15-year mortgage refinance figure has ticked down modestly from last week, which may open a window for some homeowners who have been watching and waiting.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026
So far, air fares are only up modestly.
—Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2026
In a market increasingly focused on slowing growth, softer consumer spending, and more selective valuation discipline, Marriott looks vulnerable to a meaningful re-rating lower if execution slips even modestly.
—Tony Zhang, CNBC, 1 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
-
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
-
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
Adverb
-
Those absent will include Beatrice and Eugenie of York, who politely declined the Easter invitation of their uncle, King Charles III, in the wake of the arrest of their father, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.—
Laura Scafati,
Vanity Fair,
4 Apr. 2026
-
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
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
-
The kitchen lights weren’t working properly.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
-
On the shipwreck the hatches are fastened properly.—
Tribune News Service,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 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
-
To address the challenge, the team designed a swap gate based purely on geometric phases, that exchanges the quantum state of two qubits.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Apr. 2026
-
If the question was purely about having money to spend, traditional luxury would be booming as well.—
Fortune,
Fortune,
9 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 12 Apr. 2026.
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