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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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of moderate
Alexandra Pastore, WWD, 24 Jan. 2025
There is a moderate risk for rip currents at area beaches.
—Garfield Hylton, Orlando Sentinel, 17 Jan. 2025
Will Warasila, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2024
The cautious moderates arrayed against Frémont included West Point graduates Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, and William T. Sherman, who all feared that a Republican victory would mean civil war.
—Matthew Karp, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024
Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
Since Reddit is a platform moderated by volunteer users, Redditors will continue to seek control and have much say over how conversations flow on their favorite subreddits.
—Ars Technica, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for moderate 
Adjective
In terms of investing in technology for efficiencies, retail executives told Deloitte that plans were moderate to major and aimed to optimize costs rather than cut them.
—Alexandra Pastore, WWD, 24 Jan. 2025
There is a moderate risk for rip currents at area beaches.
—Garfield Hylton, Orlando Sentinel, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
Two Republican moderates who barely held on to their seats sued the Freedom Caucus’s political action committee for defamation.
—Will Warasila, New York Times, 26 Dec. 2024
The cautious moderates arrayed against Frémont included West Point graduates Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, and William T. Sherman, who all feared that a Republican victory would mean civil war.
—Matthew Karp, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024
Verb
Next followed a panel moderated by Newsweek Vantage's Research Director Lucy Hurst.
—Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
Since Reddit is a platform moderated by volunteer users, Redditors will continue to seek control and have much say over how conversations flow on their favorite subreddits.
—Ars Technica, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for moderate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moderate
Adjective
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Meanwhile, some dairy researchers believe the industry’s future lies in the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes regions, partly as a result of climate change — the region has a temperate climate and abundant freshwater, unlike drought-prone California.—
Kenny Torrella,
Vox,
13 Jan. 2025
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In its Tuesday update, the WHO stressed that the recent increase in respiratory infections—including influenza—across Northern Hemisphere countries aligned with normal seasonal patterns seen in temperate climates.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
Newsweek,
10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The storm Friday was expected to have more of an influence in the northern part of the region and state, before a second round in the pattern rolls through closer to the central part of the region and state early early into next week.—
Jason Green,
The Mercury News,
31 Jan. 2025
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Trump made immigration a central theme of his successful presidential campaign, and Americans largely support his mass deportation plans.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The average temperature on Feb. 3 in Denver is 44 degrees.—
Lauren Penington,
The Denver Post,
3 Feb. 2025
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That means on average, the company spent 6 cents per claim on AI costs.—
Ganesh Rao,Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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What To Know Despite the mild start, which saw New York City at a high of 43°F, colder air is expected in the coming days, bringing a mix of snow, sleet, and rain to the region.—
Natalie Venegas,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
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Half had Alzheimer’s disease and about one-third had mild cognitive impairment, a common precursor to Alzheimer’s.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
4 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Regardless of the prevalence, finding ways to relieve the symptoms and decrease stress is essential.—
Ashley Olivine, Ph.D., MPH,
Verywell Health,
31 Jan. 2025
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One 2024 study of 1,247 adults from 91 countries by the University of Southampton and Bath found that, after a month of practicing mindfulness for 10 minutes daily, participants reported reduced depression, improved wellbeing, and decreased anxiety.—
Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
31 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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This improvement to sound also makes the restrained snarl of Naked Snake’s voice have an even better bite.—
Ashley Bardhan,
Rolling Stone,
6 Feb. 2025
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Written by Jon Randall and Matt Nolen, this song features gentle guitar and restrained percussion lifting its message, contemplating the possibility of an afterlife filled with horses, musing that thunder is a band of angels riding on horses across the skies.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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That’s an increase of 1% from November when the median price for a single-family home in California was $852,820.—
Kendrick Marshall,
Sacramento Bee,
4 Feb. 2025
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The median home sale price in the region was $380,000 in December, up 3.5 percent from a year earlier, according to the Orlando Regional Realtor Association.—
James Wilkins,
Orlando Sentinel,
2 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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With the belief that skincare should be gentle, effective, and safe for everyone, every product is crafted with care, using natural and organic ingredients that are sustainably sourced.—
Hilary Tetenbaum,
USA TODAY,
29 Jan. 2025
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Made of smooth vegan satin, the pillowcase is designed to be gentle on hair and skin.—
Isabel Garcia,
People.com,
29 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near moderate
Cite this Entry
“Moderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moderate. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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