1
as in temperate
avoiding extremes in behavior or expression
he was only a moderate drinker, generally stopping after a couple of glasses of wine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in central
avoiding major social change or extreme political ideas
the principal's moderate position on cell phones is that students can use them at school but only for emergencies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in average
being about midway between extremes of amount or size
a moderate snowfall was forecast for the region
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in mild
marked by temperatures that are neither too high nor too low
a city that is celebrated for its moderate climate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in centrist
a person who holds moderate views
to the community's detriment, moderates were often shouted down at town meetings by the local hotheads
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to decrease
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
the wind began to moderate as the night wore on
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 moderate
Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2026
Related Stories For Q1, Spotify is expecting more moderate users gains.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026
Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The issue of whether to abolish ICE has become a new dividing line between Democratic progressives and moderates.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Bill Kelly, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Actor Laura San Giacomo, who won LAFCA’s New Generation Award for her performance, will be there for a Q&A moderated by Lael Loewenstein.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Adjective
State officials have predicted moderate to strong wildflower blooms across California this year following widespread rainfall during the fall and winter, according to California State Parks.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2026
Related Stories For Q1, Spotify is expecting more moderate users gains.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
Warsh is a frequent Fed critic who prefers lower interest rates, yet is also a fiscal moderate who is more cautious about deploying heavy monetary strategies, USA TODAY reported.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 30 Jan. 2026
The issue of whether to abolish ICE has become a new dividing line between Democratic progressives and moderates.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
The bitter air will continue into early next week before moderating a bit midweek and into the following weekend.
—Bill Kelly, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Actor Laura San Giacomo, who won LAFCA’s New Generation Award for her performance, will be there for a Q&A moderated by Lael Loewenstein.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moderate
Adjective
-
The dammuso stays temperate thanks to its 19-to-23-inch-thick stone walls, which slowly absorb heat during the day and release it at night, and its domes—more than 13-feet tall—that allow rising heat to dissipate above the living spaces.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
8 Feb. 2026
-
His tone is temperate, but the words echo through the State Capitol’s Assembly chamber, the august backdrop for his speech.—
Maya Singer,
Vogue,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
And third, the center of the nebula is obscure, with what looks like a wispy cloud in the foreground blocking us from seeing the central star itself.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Built for a client focused on results rather than polish by Nick Maselli, the robot—named Sourccey—features a cylindrical, mobile body with a domed top, two articulated arms, and a central vertical lift for handling garments.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Observations of transits of Venus, which only occur twice per century, on average (most recently in 2012), were humanity’s first indication that Venus possessed — whereas Mercury lacked — a substantial atmosphere.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The average transaction price (ATP) on a new vehicle hit $50,000 for the first time ever last fall, according to Kelley Blue Book.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
For example, mix 1 teaspoon of mild dish soap with 1 liter of water in a spray bottle.—
Molly Burford,
Southern Living,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Higher lifelong enrichment was associated with an up to seven-year delay in mild cognitive impairment and an up to five-year delay in dementia onset.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Major Swiss political parties outside the SVP, including centrist, left-leaning and liberal groups, have reportedly rejected the initiative.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Imagine a five-seat district that elects one MAGA Republican, one traditional Republican, one progressive Democrat, one centrist Democrat and one third-party or independent candidate.—
Jennifer Lynn McCoy,
The Conversation,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
And with Alphabet, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon—considered the four major hyperscalers—projected to spend an eye-watering $700 billion on AI build-outs in 2026, these prices are unlikely to decrease anytime soon.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Some teachers might use carts for a year or two instead of having their own classroom, but the district’s demographic study shows enrollment will continue to decrease, so that problem will go away.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Hours after Pretti was shot dead while restrained and kneeling, Leon Virden and one of his sons joined a protest near the scene.—
Natasha Korecki,
NBC news,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Beatrix, first as crown princess and later as queen, continued to use the tiara, although with a more restrained use, often combining it with other pieces of the ensemble or reserving it for very specific diplomatic appointments.—
Marta Martínez Tato,
Vanity Fair,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The actual costs for things such as meat, dairy, produce, frozen foods and cleaning products were compared to the state's median household income to determine where people spend the most.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Because of that, said Burton, the bill classifies lot rental fees as a homeownership activity, meaning that mobile home owners making less than 140% of area median income — $123,900 for a family of four in Miami-Dade County — could qualify for up to six months of lot rental assistance.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Moderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moderate. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
