1
as in meekness
the absence of any feelings of being better than others
his natural modesty makes him reluctant to run for public office
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in purity
the quality or state of being morally pure
in this day and age, that's very becoming modesty in a teenager
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of modesty
In lieu of a top, Suki Waterhouse wore two peacock feathers, designed by Tamara Ralph, rendered in gold crystal — the glittering tendrils just about protecting her modesty.
—
Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
Iran’s legal system is based on one interpretation of what Islam teaches about gender roles and modesty for women, and is used to control women, said Iqbal Akhtar, professor of politics and international relations and religious studies at Florida International University.
—Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
Mike Kelly, a former Vikings executive turned technology CEO who remains a season ticket holder, long felt this modesty was what separated Brzezinski from other front-office types.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Part of her appeal is that, even though her voice is commanding, there’s nothing particularly imperious about her personality, which borders on something like modesty.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for modesty
Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 16 Mar. 2026
Iran’s legal system is based on one interpretation of what Islam teaches about gender roles and modesty for women, and is used to control women, said Iqbal Akhtar, professor of politics and international relations and religious studies at Florida International University.
—Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
Mike Kelly, a former Vikings executive turned technology CEO who remains a season ticket holder, long felt this modesty was what separated Brzezinski from other front-office types.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Part of her appeal is that, even though her voice is commanding, there’s nothing particularly imperious about her personality, which borders on something like modesty.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for modesty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modesty
Noun
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Such meekness is understandable from him.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Feb. 2026
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Likewise, meekness once meant not becoming weak, but subjugating power to reason – not letting anger take control.—
Timothy J. Pawl,
The Conversation,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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And sometimes the music does traffic in the kinds of clichés about middle-American purity of spirit that have long been a hallmark of conservative rhetoric.—
Jack Hamilton,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2026
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Read More Even at its glitziest, though, there is always an earnest purity about Parton’s work and worldview.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The Augustinian tradition emphasizes fraternity, humility, and reflection on our disordered desires.—
Peter Wehner,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
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There’s a lack of humility, a lack of dignity, a lack of understanding of the world, a lack of embracing other perspectives.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Believing in her innocence, Shade and Angie dive headfirst back into the high-stakes world of investigation.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2026
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Their joyous innocence depicts the newest generation of Black Americans who won’t contend with enslavement but will be forced to confront the terrors of Jim Crow.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The humbleness comes from the fact that Mendoza wasn’t supposed to be here.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
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And well done Connor Storrie for acknowledging her response with kindness and humbleness.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Modesty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modesty. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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