modestly

adverb

Definition of modestlynext
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

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 modestly The four-week average of claims, which smooths out week-to-week volatility, rose modestly to 207,250 last week. — Paul Wiseman, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026 Some historians point to one of Leonardo’s sketches from about the same time that show a David-like nude with a leaf over its groin, arguing that Leonardo wanted Michelangelo’s masterpiece modestly concealed. — Alicja Zelazko, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Sep. 2026 Peppered amid the challenges for 2025 were glimmers of hope through successes like Weapons ($270 million globally on a $38 million budget), while modestly budgeted reboots Freakier Friday and Final Destination Bloodlines also turned profits. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026 The stock is down modestly in after hours, but shares are up 9% in a month. — Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026 Its stars are modestly bright, so suburban observers will need patience and a clear southern horizon. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Campaign reports filed with the Supervisor of Elections Office show Caruso and Democratic candidate Drucker raised and spent relatively modestly for a countywide campaign. — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026 This is a player who has been a modestly above-average finisher throughout his career, and has a serious nose for cashing in greasy goals at the net front. — Thomas Drance, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 The young partier who witnessed the shooting from a passing car appears on the stand as a modestly dressed, middle-aged woman. — Andy Rose, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modestly
  1. humbly
  2. innocently
  3. politely
  4. chastely
  5. sheepishly
  6. properly
  7. deferentially
  8. purely
Adverb
  • Elordi nearly shoulders the running time but plays his Hig a bit too humbly.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Under the jerseys, Lee, 40, humbly posts a small University of Missouri Athletics Hall of Fame plaque.
    — PJ Green August 27, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of humbly
Adverb
  • The Network Started With A Missing File The origins of the incident started innocently.
    — Ron Schmelzer, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Their amalgamation with the other color produces a degradation to which no lover of his country, no lover of excellence in the human character can innocently consent.
    — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Definition of innocently
Adverb
  • Though there have been tensions between Camilla and her stepson Harry over the years, royal biographer Tom Bower reported that the queen politely offered the Duke of Sussex a cup of tea.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Clocking in at 30 minutes, Williams’ Quartet La Jolla is a five-part work that politely utilizes dissonance and sometimes abstract rhythms.
    — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of politely
Adverb
  • Take The Music Lesson, a study of a young woman playing the virginal, closely watched by a gentleman, which Graham-Dixon reads as a depiction of Collegiants chastely performing and singing psalms.
    — Clare Bucknell, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Definition of chastely
Adverb
  • Reluctantly, somewhat sheepishly, Van Lith wandered along the edge of the corn patch that August.
    — Jeff Murray, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Green looked sheepishly at Linkof, who gave him the green light to spill the beans.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 24 July 2026
Definition of sheepishly
Adverb
  • Mattia Sala, the product manager for SMEG USA, agrees that silverware handles should always point downward, but adds that silverware should be properly spaced out within a dishwasher’s silverware caddy.
    — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Having a healthy lawn means managing soil conditions for the roots, mowing properly, and strengthening the density of the grass by overseeding.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of properly
Adverb
  • Precedent thus gave the judge reason to deferentially review settlement terms.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 May 2026
  • Scorsese shoots them beautifully and deferentially.
    — Matt Weinstock, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of deferentially
Adverb
  • Note that credit bidding really does not purely involve a credit of a part of the judgment held against the debtor.
    — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Tswalu was acquired by the philanthropic Oppenheimer family purely for environmental conservation.
    — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of purely

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modest
modestly
modesty
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Cite this Entry

“Modestly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modestly. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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