as in damn
the smallest amount or part imaginable
only a modicum of skill is necessary to put the kit together
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of modicum
At least a modicum of adversity, which Cleveland didn’t really have until the very end last season, is built into the start of the new campaign.
—
Joe Vardon, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
And yet a new revolution precipitated by the betrayals of an older uprising ought to prompt us to view what is now unfolding in Nepal, despite its appearance of promise, with at least a modicum of wariness.
—Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
His days as a starting pitcher are gone — save for a unique scenario Wednesday, when he’ll be called into action — but that same modicum of joy remains.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
This openness granted her a modicum of power in her, uh, complicated relationship with future husband Christian Grey.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for modicum
Joe Vardon, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
And yet a new revolution precipitated by the betrayals of an older uprising ought to prompt us to view what is now unfolding in Nepal, despite its appearance of promise, with at least a modicum of wariness.
—Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
His days as a starting pitcher are gone — save for a unique scenario Wednesday, when he’ll be called into action — but that same modicum of joy remains.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
This openness granted her a modicum of power in her, uh, complicated relationship with future husband Christian Grey.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for modicum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modicum
Noun
-
Even for those in the North who didn’t care a damn for the four million held in brutal bondage, or those who wanted a soft, conciliatory approach, the war began to take on new and moral meaning.—
Jack Sheehan
September 4,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
-
At the start, the project required building a damn to drain the water from the facade.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Miss Keaton…is not a whit like the flustered ingénue she was cast to play.—
Chris Morris,
Variety,
11 Oct. 2025
-
The whit and the whoo are from different owls.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The fact that Deutch didn’t speak a lick of French didn’t dissuade her.—
Seija Rankin,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Sexy guitar licks and a groovy rhythm couple together to create a fiery, catchy tune.—
Audrey Gibbs,
Nashville Tennessean,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Broncos put up negative net yardage on a whopping four drives, and only found a shred of fourth-quarter magic in Nix’s right arm on a late third-down rollout to Franklin to help put the game away.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
7 Nov. 2025
-
But the unfixed nature of trauma colors even the most vivid of memories with shreds of doubt.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The character animation is frequently a hoot, especially in the breakfast foods segment that might inspire trips to the kitchen when viewing.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Lena Dunham is also a hoot as a goofy but kind arts teacher.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Modicum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modicum. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share