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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of moderate
Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 25 Sep. 2025
Of the 75 units, 70 will be allocated under the Affordable Housing Program, designed to assist individuals with moderate incomes.
—Everett Eaton, jsonline.com, 24 Sep. 2025
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2025
There’s the usual skew with those expressing preference for a mix of sources being 52% for Democrats, 64% for Moderates, and 91% for Republicans; the numbers by ideology at 47% for Liberals, 71% for moderates, and 92% for conservatives.
—Robert G. Eccles, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Zac Ntim, Deadline, 22 Sep. 2025
The stars of the film took photos with fans and participated in a live Q&A moderated by The Big Picture’s Amanda Dobbins.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for moderate
Adjective
The drug is best at reducing fever and treating mild to moderate pain that doesn’t involve inflammation.
—Noun
The shifts underscore deep divisions within the party about whether open support for socialism will hurt Democrats’ ability to reach moderates or galvanize greater support from people who are concerned about issues like the cost of living.
—Verb
The session will be moderated by Wendy Mitchell.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for moderate
Adjective
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Lower carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere then cooled the Earth, turning a hothouse planet into one with a more temperate climate, like the one enjoyed by life today.—
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In an era of increasingly extreme weather, the disease is thriving in areas once considered cool and temperate.—
Adjective
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While social change has been central to much of his work, Jia says his upcoming film takes a different approach.—
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Parts of the central and northwestern Bahamas were already experiencing moderate to heavy rainfall Sunday morning, with a storm surge as high as three feet expected to rise later in the day and into the evening, according to the Bahamas Department of Meteorology.—
Adjective
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The exchange calculated that California consumers on exchange plans would see an average premium increase of 97% if the credits are not extended.—
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The study then looked at nightlife, factoring in average beer and wine prices, movie costs, nightlife options, music festivals and access to bars and other factors.—
Adjective
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If his injury is even a mild strain, Jackson could miss a few weeks.—
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To avoid stripping and stiffening of the fabric, Holmes recommends washing comforters using mild detergent in cold or lukewarm water.—
Noun
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One person familiar with the situation pointed to a possible preference among party leaders for the more centrist Craig in Minnesota.—
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Ana Navarro, who considers herself a centrist and has been deeply critical of Trump from the beginning, chimed in, too.—
Verb
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Steam decreased 33 percent and gas consumption decreased 12 percent—both due to more consistent production flows.—
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Austin, Denver have seen rents decrease Such arguments aren’t just economics textbook ideas, say Horowitz and other observers.—
Adjective
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In the after-hours, the black faille number styled with a silky lime-green tank top was at once restrained and opulent, just great for a night out.—
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In practice, despite his rhetoric, Israel’s longest serving prime minister’s security policy was widely seen as cautious and relatively restrained, even derided as cowardly by political rivals, who also mocked his inability to make decisive moves.—
Adjective
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The median Chinese is 40 years old, only two years below France.—
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Ng says that in California, the median earner would need a six-figure raise.—
Cite this Entry
“Moderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moderate. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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