moderate

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

adjective

1. kept or keeping within reasonable or proper limits; not extreme, excessive, or intense:

   a moderate price.

   Synonyms: calm, steady, cool, just, judicious, temperate, reasonable

2. of medium quantity, extent, or amount:

   a moderate income.

   Synonyms: average

3. mediocre or fair:

   moderate talent.

4. calm or mild, as of the weather.
5. of or relating to moderates, as in politics or religion.

   Antonyms: radical

noun

1. a person who is moderate in opinion or opposed to extreme views and actions, especially in politics or religion.

   Antonyms: radical

2. (usually initial capital letter) a member of a political party advocating moderate reform.

verb (used with object)

, mod·er·at·ed, mod·er·at·ing.

1. 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

2. to preside over or at (a public forum, meeting, discussion, etc.).

verb (used without object)

, mod·er·at·ed, mod·er·at·ing.

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

moderate

adjective

1. not extreme or excessive; within due or reasonable limits

   moderate demands

2. not violent; mild or temperate
3. of average quality or extent

   moderate success

noun

1. a person who holds moderate views, esp in politics

verb

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

Derived Forms

• ˈmoderately, adverb
• ˈmoderateness, noun
• ˈmoderatism, noun

Other Words From

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of moderate¹

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

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.

Example Sentences

Backed by Trump, he cast himself as a moderate Republican who wanted to cut inflation and crime, but he was ultimately defeated by Democrat John Fetterman.

From Los Angeles Times

However, California’s emphasis on such liberal issues pushes the boundaries for many moderate voters, even those who may be sympathetic to some progressive polices, Kochel said.

From Los Angeles Times

Helping to moderate price growth is a housing shortage that, while not going away, is getting slightly less severe.

From Los Angeles Times

Natural sinks play a vital role to moderate the impact of current emissions and draw down atmospheric CO2 concentrations after the date of net zero, stabilizing global temperatures.

From Science Daily

“They were progressive D.A.s who really should have been public defenders and not D.A.s,” says Townsend, who advises moderate Democratic candidates.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abate
• alleviate
• constrain
• cool
• curb
• decrease
• die down
• diminish
• lessen
• mitigate
• modify
• reduce
• slacken
• slow
• soften
• subdue
• subside
• temper
• tone down
• wane