View synonyms for moderate

moderate

[ adjective noun mod-er-it, mod-rit; verb mod-uh-reyt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

kept or keeping within reasonable or proper limits; not extreme, excessive, or intense:
a moderate price.
Synonyms: calm, steady, cool, just, judicious, temperate, reasonable
of medium quantity, extent, or amount:
a moderate income.
Synonyms: average
mediocre or fair:
moderate talent.
calm or mild, as of the weather.
of or relating to moderates, as in politics or religion.
Antonyms: radical

noun

a person who is moderate in opinion or opposed to extreme views and actions, especially in politics or religion.
Antonyms: radical
(usually initial capital letter) a member of a political party advocating moderate reform.

verb (used with object)

moderated, moderating.

to reduce the excessiveness of; make less violent, severe, intense, or rigorous:
to moderate the sharpness of one's words.
Synonyms: diminish, lessen, abate, appease, qualify, temper, mollify, soften, mitigate, calm, pacify, ameliorate
to preside over or at (a public forum, meeting, discussion, etc.).

verb (used without object)

moderated, moderating.

to become less violent, severe, intense, or rigorous.
to act as moderator; preside.

moderate

adjective

not extreme or excessive; within due or reasonable limits
moderate demands
not violent; mild or temperate
of average quality or extent
moderate success

noun

a person who holds moderate views, esp in politics

verb

to become or cause to become less extreme or violent
whenintr, often foll by over to preside over a meeting, discussion, etc
to act as an external moderator of the overall standards and marks for (some types of educational assessment)
physics to slow down (neutrons), esp by using a moderator
tr to monitor (the conversations in an on-line chatroom) for bad language, inappropriate content, etc

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Derived Forms

ˈmoderately, adverb
ˈmoderateness, noun
ˈmoderatism, noun

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Other Words From

moder·ate·ly adverb
moder·ate·ness noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of moderate¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English moderate (adjective) moderaten (verb), from Latin moderātus (past participle of moderārī “to mitigate, restrain, control”), equivalent to moderā- verb stem ( modest ) + -tus past participle suffix

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Word History and Origins

Origin of moderate¹

C14: from Latin moderātus observing moderation, from moderārī to restrain

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Synonym Study

Moderate, temperate, judicious, reasonable all stress the avoidance of excess—emotional, physical, intellectual, or otherwise. Moderate implies response or behavior that is by nature not excessive: a moderate drinker, a moderate amount of assistance. Temperate, interchangeable with moderate in some general uses, usually stresses the idea of caution, control, or self-restraint: a surprisingly temperate response to the angry challenge. Judicious emphasizes prudence and the exercise of careful judgment: a judicious balance between freedom and restraint; judicious care to offend neither side. Reasonable suggests the imposition or adoption of limits derived from the application of reason or good sense: a reasonable price; a reasonable amount of damages allotted to each claimant. See allay.

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Example Sentences

The new maps add what the agency now defines as “high” and “moderate” severity zones as well.

From Los Angeles Times

A moderate to strong winter storm will likely bring periods of moderate to heavy rain and mountain snow to Southwest California Wednesday into Thursday.

From Los Angeles Times

The region has been experiencing a number of moderate earthquakes since 2024.

From Los Angeles Times

With the collapse of Democratic turnout for Harris' moderate campaign, Walz thinks it's up to the party to meet voters where they are on more progressive positions.

From Salon

Nearly a third reported high stress levels and 40% reported moderate stress.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

Modena moderate breeze

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