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
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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
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3
as in average
being about midway between extremes of amount or size
a moderate snowfall was forecast for the region
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4
as in mild
marked by temperatures that are neither too high nor too low
a city that is celebrated for its moderate climate
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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
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as in to decrease
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
the wind began to moderate as the night wore on
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as in temperance
an avoidance of extremes in one's actions, beliefs, or habits
the kind of person who does everything in moderation
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of moderate
Matthew Kayser, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2026
There's a moderate heat risk this week for urban areas in South Florida, and temperatures should trend higher approaching the weekend.
—Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 7 May 2026
For moderates, compromise is an end in itself.
—Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 7 May 2026
Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 14 May 2026
On February 18, 2020, Markey and Kennedy participated in a debate on WGBH-TV (Boston public radio) that was moderated by hosts Jim Braude and Margery Eagan.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 14 May 2026
Dr. Howard Tucker, CNBC, 10 May 2026
But the median voter isn’t exactly baying for moderation and compromise.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Adjective
Adults with mild to moderate hearing loss can now buy some devices over the counter, which has opened the door for people who may not have wanted a prescription or multiple office visits.
—Matthew Kayser, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2026
There's a moderate heat risk this week for urban areas in South Florida, and temperatures should trend higher approaching the weekend.
—Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Noun
But not all Democratic candidates support single-payer, which remains divisive between moderates and members of the party’s progressive wing, who have historically supported the initiative.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 7 May 2026
For moderates, compromise is an end in itself.
—Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 7 May 2026
Verb
Dara Collins and Donna Kassman are South Florida residents who moderate the Modern Mahjong Facebook page.
—Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 14 May 2026
On February 18, 2020, Markey and Kennedy participated in a debate on WGBH-TV (Boston public radio) that was moderated by hosts Jim Braude and Margery Eagan.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 14 May 2026
Noun
To me, moderation is what makes enjoyment possible over the long run.
—Dr. Howard Tucker, CNBC, 10 May 2026
But the median voter isn’t exactly baying for moderation and compromise.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moderate
Adjective
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With temperate weather that allows for swimming, snorkeling, and forest spelunking, these getaways are also prime locations for napping to the gentle sound of waves by the beach.—
Skyli Alvarez,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 May 2026
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Climate change pushes both sides of the equation, expanding the range and season length of Aedes mosquitoes in temperate regions while intensifying transmission in the tropics that feeds the flow of infected travelers.—
John Drake,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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That argument is now central to a lawsuit filed by the Save City Hall Coalition, which claims the city failed to properly maintain the building as required by law.—
Amelia Mugavero,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
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But as a central figure in several high-profile lawsuits, Carollo has also cost the city money during his most recent stints in office.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
19 May 2026
Adjective
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Good for 79 runs of production above an average player, per FanGraphs.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
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Even then, savings for average drivers aren’t huge.—
Wyatte Grantham-Philips,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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And what surprises many people outside Finland is that mild alcohol is actually a very common and almost emblematic part of the sauna experience.—
Brad Japhe,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
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Sunny investor attitudes stem from robust corporate earnings, as well as milder economic fallout from the war than some forecasters feared, some analysts previously told ABC News.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
14 May 2026
Noun
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Streeting’s views could prove a significant hurdle in garnering support from Labour’s membership, however, with left-wing factions within the party regarding him as too centrist or even right wing.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
14 May 2026
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The bomb exploded after being pushed through a letter slot at the centrist D66 party on May 8.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 May 2026
Verb
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For example, Social Security retirement benefits could decrease and pensions could stay the same.—
Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,
CNBC,
15 May 2026
-
As more time passes from the peak of the solar cycle, auroral activity will decrease.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
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Moral judgments like these became part of the school curriculum in the late 19th century, as the temperance movement gained momentum toward its goal of total abstinence.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
3 May 2026
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The temperance, abolition, and civil-rights movements in America were all motivated in part by religious convictions.—
Luis Parrales,
The Atlantic,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Puerto Rican rum production emphasizes column distillation and filtration, yielding a cleaner, lighter, and more restrained profile than many heavier Caribbean styles.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
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It was described by critics as psychologically uneasy and emotionally claustrophobic, with Keough serving as the restrained emotional center of the film.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Moderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moderate. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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