1
as in humbly
in a manner showing no signs of pride or self-assertion
spoke modestly about his accomplishments as an entrepreneur
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in innocently
with purity of thought and deed
dressed modestly to go to church
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of modestly
Pinckney’s path to business began modestly.
—
Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
In recent months, tariffs modestly contributed to the uptick in overall inflation, analysts previously told ABC News, but overall price increases owed largely to a rise in housing and food products with little connection to Trump’s levies.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
Researchers also flagged potential health concerns related to working long hours; there is evidence that very long workweeks of 55 hours or more may modestly increase risks of stroke and heart disease.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Some steps in the report can presumably be accomplished quickly, and may indeed improve America’s health, even if modestly.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 11 Sep. 2025
Shares of Amazon were modestly higher Thursday.
—Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
The modestly talented quarterback burst onto the scene in Week 1 in Indianapolis’ blowout win over Miami.
—Kevin Cusick, Twin Cities, 10 Sep. 2025
Reclaiming Agency By Managing Your Online Presence Intentionally downplaying appearance by using unfiltered photos or presenting themselves more modestly than in real life can help users filter out people who are only interested in surface-level attraction.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Both books sold modestly, and eventually Viking let the rights revert.
—Paul Slovak
september 8, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
Malana Vantyler, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
In recent months, tariffs modestly contributed to the uptick in overall inflation, analysts previously told ABC News, but overall price increases owed largely to a rise in housing and food products with little connection to Trump’s levies.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 11 Sep. 2025
Researchers also flagged potential health concerns related to working long hours; there is evidence that very long workweeks of 55 hours or more may modestly increase risks of stroke and heart disease.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Some steps in the report can presumably be accomplished quickly, and may indeed improve America’s health, even if modestly.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 11 Sep. 2025
Shares of Amazon were modestly higher Thursday.
—Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
The modestly talented quarterback burst onto the scene in Week 1 in Indianapolis’ blowout win over Miami.
—Kevin Cusick, Twin Cities, 10 Sep. 2025
Reclaiming Agency By Managing Your Online Presence Intentionally downplaying appearance by using unfiltered photos or presenting themselves more modestly than in real life can help users filter out people who are only interested in surface-level attraction.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Both books sold modestly, and eventually Viking let the rights revert.
—Paul Slovak
september 8, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modestly
Adverb
-
Greenidge puts her aims even more humbly.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Unlike its sprawling neighbor, Riverside Church, a few streets over, Broadway Presbyterian stands humbly on a fraction of sidewalk, with a mere four stairs leading up to its fire-engine-red doors.—
Paige Williams,
New Yorker,
29 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
The viral clip begins with the wife innocently posing for a photo at the airport near a large window overlooking a plane.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
-
This game started innocently with a scoreless first period.—
Kevin J. Farmer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Ronson politely demurred the money twice until Combs barked at him with an expletive to take the money.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Irwin politely refused to accept Tonioli and Hough's adulations, crediting it all to his partner.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
Nick, who was dressed in a crisp two-piece suit and black dress shoes, later emerges from the pool and sheepishly walks over to James to greet her.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
12 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
Face washing allows for thorough cleansing if done properly, which allows the skin to better absorb moisturizers or treatments that may be applied afterwards.—
Sohaib Imtiaz,
Verywell Health,
16 Sep. 2025
-
This ensures both assistive technologies and AI engines can interpret your content’s structure properly.—
Ran Ronen,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
The circles aren’t purely for aesthetics, though.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Things like contracts, registering workers with Social Security – purely organizational tasks.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
19 Sep. 2025
Adverb
-
City succumbed too meekly given their spine included Ruben Dias, John Stones, Rodri and Haaland at the end of the match.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
1 Sep. 2025
-
United finished 15th in the Premier League, their lowest league position since they were relegated in 1974, and surrendered meekly to Tottenham in the Europa League final.—
Dan Cancian,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
Adverb
-
Finally, equity must be both fiscally and morally sound.—
Michael Mische,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Sep. 2025
-
In reality, refusing to participate in raids would be both legally possible and morally necessary.—
Israel Melendez Ayala,
Time,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Modestly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modestly. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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