MODERATIONS Synonyms: 287 Similar and Opposite Words

moderate 1 of 4

adjective

ˈmä-d(ə-)rət

Definition of moderate

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

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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as in average

being about midway between extremes of amount or size a moderate snowfall was forecast for the region

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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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moderate

2 of 4

noun (1)

ˈmä-d(ə-)rət

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

moderate

3 of 4

verb

ˈmä-də-ˌrāt

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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moderation

4 of 4

noun (2)

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

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

Adjective

More than 60% reported moderate or high levels of fear, including about 17% who fell in the high-fear range. — Jillian Turanovic, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026 There are a lot of people who fit into the category of six months and older, moderate-to-severe eczema, for whom prescription topicals have not treated the condition. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026

Noun

The outcome could reshape Brazil’s ties with the United States and China, as both candidates try to win over moderates. — Mauricio Savarese, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 Two new books argue that this is the wrong debate to be having, since swing voters, with all their idiosyncrasies, don’t see politics through a lens of moderates versus progressives. — Isaac Arnsdorf, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2026

Verb

But Brattin, who has positioned himself in the right wing of the Republican Party, didn’t seek to moderate his message. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026 The axis countries may moderate their anti-American rhetoric when doing so is tactically useful, but their motivation to reduce their vulnerability to American power remains. — Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026

Noun

Bumble also describes Deception Detector as a system intended to identify and prevent potentially misleading activity, supported by human moderation. — Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026 Even though maple syrup is the healthier option, remember that moderation is key—both white table sugar and maple syrup are considered added sugars, and should be limited to maintain a healthy diet. — Carley Millhone, HEALTH, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for moderate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for moderate

Adjective

The scientists spotted the fungus during fieldwork in the temperate coniferous forests near Damaidi and Yipinglang and in a tropical rainforest near Nanbang in southern China.

— Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 14 Oct. 2026
Unsurprisingly, the wine lists are impeccable across the property, from Santé Restaurant to 38º North Wine Bar, which takes its name from the temperate latitude that cuts through some of the world’s finest wine regions.

— CNT Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of temperate

Adjective

The Southern Taurids have an average zenithal hourly rate of about five meteors per hour.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 12 Oct. 2026
The average hurricane is about 300 miles (482 kilometers) wide, but hurricanes – or typhoons, as they’re called in the western Pacific of the Northern Hemisphere – can be much bigger or smaller.

— Zachary Handlos, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of average

Adjective

The coming-of-age drama, based on Coffey’s life, follows a high school student with mild cerebral palsy trying to wrestle for the school’s scholastic wrestling team.

— Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026
The mild sweetness of onions pairs naturally with tallow’s savory character, and when fried at the right temperature the coating turns crisp and golden without the onions losing their tender bite.

— Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of mild

Noun

With all the votes counted by the Statistics Office, the centrist ANO (YES) movement led by the populist billionaire has the most, 13, candidates advancing to next week’s runoffs.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
Caiado, Zema and Santos are generally seen as candidates leaning to the political right, while Cury is a centrist.

— David Unsworth, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of centrist

Verb

The definitive study of feedback, Avraham Kluger and Angelo DeNisi’s meta-analysis of 23,663 observations, found that over a third of feedback interventions decreased performance.

— Zaharia-Gabriel Sidere, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
These include gravitational forces, commonly known as G-forces, that increase or decrease the pressure riders feel on their bodies during rapid acceleration and deceleration.

— Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of decrease

Adjective

The sheer black fabric included embroidered botanical elements, adding a touch of whimsy to the restrained look.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Either way, Rahimi balances the character’s clear vulnerability with just enough ambiguity about his plans for the school, accentuated through Majidi’s restrained and naturalistic approach.

— Kambole Campbell, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of restrained

Adjective

Data the alliance included in the prospectus said homes in the 76112, 76103 and 76120 ZIP codes sell for around $250,000, about $80,000 below the median home sales price for Fort Worth, according to figures from Redfin.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026
Prices start at $35 for Comme Si socks and go up to $11,000 for a wavy gray shearling Marni coat; median prices sit around $895.

— Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of median

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“Moderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moderate. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of moderate

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verb

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