moderate

1 of 3

adjective

mod·​er·​ate ˈmä-d(ə-)rət How to pronounce moderate (audio)
1
a
: avoiding extremes of behavior or expression : observing reasonable limits
a moderate drinker
b
: calm, temperate
Though very much in favor of the measure, he expressed himself in moderate language.
2
a
: tending toward the mean or average amount or dimension
a family of moderate income
b
: having average or less than average quality : mediocre
wrote moderate poetry to the end of his lifeCarl Van Doren
3
: not violent, severe, or intense
a moderate climate
moderate winters
cook over moderate heat
4
: professing or characterized by political or social beliefs that are not extreme
had left-wing, moderate, and right-wing candidates vying for the nomination
5
: limited in scope or effect
His new wealth had only a moderate effect on his way of life.
6
: not expensive : reasonable or low in price
a moderate price for a new house
7
of a color : of medium lightness and medium chroma
a moderate red
moderateness noun

moderate

2 of 3

verb

mod·​er·​ate ˈmä-də-ˌrāt How to pronounce moderate (audio)
moderated; moderating

transitive verb

1
: to lessen the intensity or extremeness of
the sun moderated the chill
2
: to preside over or act as chairman of
moderated the board of directors meeting
moderated the debate

intransitive verb

1
: to act as a moderator
He moderated on a weekly panel show.
2
: to become less violent, severe, or intense
the wind began to moderate
moderation noun

moderate

3 of 3

noun

mod·​er·​ate ˈmä-d(ə-)rət How to pronounce moderate (audio)
: one who holds moderate views or who belongs to a group favoring a moderate course or program

Examples of moderate in a Sentence

Adjective Her doctor recommended moderate exercise. There were moderate levels of chemicals in the lake. drinking moderate amounts of coffee Most of these medicines relieve mild to moderate pain. a family of moderate income a book of moderate length The group met with only moderate success. a writer of moderate talent The hotel offers comfortable rooms at moderate prices. Both moderate Democrats and moderate Republicans can agree on this new law. Verb The protesters have been unwilling to moderate their demands. She moderates at our office meetings. She moderates our discussions so that we don't argue or talk at the same time. Noun Moderates from both political parties have agreed on an economic plan. to the community's detriment, moderates were often shouted down at town meetings by the local hotheads
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Trent Franks, who resigned from the position in 2016, is looking to regain the seat, and more moderate Republican Ben Toma is interested in moving from Arizona House speaker to Congress. Amanda Luberto, The Arizona Republic, 13 Mar. 2024 Villano recommended walking at an easy pace for the first 10 days post-recovery before progressing to more moderate exercise. Melanie Radzicki McManus, CNN, 12 Mar. 2024 Measles often begins with a mild to moderate fever, along with a cough, runny nose, and red/watery eyes, health officials detailed. Cnn.com, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024 The construction industry, also vulnerable to interest rate hikes, has seen moderate growth at best over the past year, adding 23,000 jobs in February, with certain niches within the market feeling the pinch more than others. Lauren Kaori Gurley, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 Critics of LaRose say his evolution from moderate legislator to Senate candidate raises questions of authenticity. Haley Bemiller, The Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2024 There was some support for the plan from subway riders and among some moderate and conservative Democrats, including one of Ms. Hochul’s most persistent Democratic critics, Representative Tom Suozzi. Nicholas Fandos, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024 However, Haley continued to expose the former president's weaknesses with moderate voters and in swing states. USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2024 Four in 10 voters identified as either independent or as Democrats, and a third identify as either moderate or liberal: these groups voted strongly for Nikki Haley. Jennifer De Pinto, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2024
Verb
Following a greeting from last year’s award recipient, Dolly Parton, Sánchez moderated a fireside chat-style discussion with Van Jones and José Andrés. Vogue, 15 Mar. 2024 Bluesky will soon let users customize how content is moderated in their feeds. Emma Roth, The Verge, 12 Mar. 2024 In the ideologically sundry society of Al-Hol, Abu Hassan had moderated his persona. Anand Gopal, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 Although price increases for luxury homes have moderated in recent months, entry-level homes have continued to get pricier, in part because of growing demand. Abha Bhattarai, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2024 Market-rate rents have moderated, and economists have long expected that activity to be better reflected by lower shelter inflation in the CPI. Alicia Wallace, CNN, 29 Feb. 2024 Streep joined Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez, showrunner John Hoffman and songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul for a For Your Consideration event on the Paramount lot on Friday night, with a conversation moderated by co-star Jane Lynch. Kirsten Chuba, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Mar. 2024 The panel, moderated by PEOPLE's Editor in Chief Wendy Naugle, will include Geena Davis, Susan Sarandon and Mira Sorvino. Daniela Avila, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024 In the meantime, the district moderated its policy, adding the exam back to the process and changing the way neighborhood is considered. Karina Elwood, Washington Post, 25 Feb. 2024
Noun
Haley defeats Trump among moderates Haley did defeat Trump among moderates. Jennifer De Pinto, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2024 While Sinema and Democrat Mark Kelly both won Senate races in Arizona running as relative moderates, Gallego is testing whether a Democrat can win as a strident progressive. The Editors, National Review, 6 Mar. 2024 Ackman’s evolution mirrors many elites who, like the hedge fund manager, see themselves as moderates and not culture warriors. Elizabeth Dwoskin, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2024 According to preliminary results of the exit poll conducted for major television networks, 31% of those who voted Tuesday identified as moderates, compared with 9% in Iowa’s caucuses last week, which Trump won by a large margin. Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2024 Polls indicate that many Republicans agree with him, while moderates and independent voters are more concerned about Trump's behavior. David Jackson, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2024 According to the entrance poll analysis, Trump won just 37% of four-year college graduates, 42% of independents and 20% of moderates. Adam Carlson, ABC News, 17 Jan. 2024 Biden’s support has dropped 24 points among voters who identify themselves as moderates, 15 points among those who call themselves somewhat liberal and 16 points among the strongly liberal. David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2024 Haley also performed relatively better among college graduates and moderates, polling even with Trump among the first group and handily beating him among the latter. Jennifer De Pinto, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'moderate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective, Verb, and Noun

Middle English, from Latin moderatus, from past participle of moderare to moderate; akin to Latin modus measure

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1648, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of moderate was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near moderate

Cite this Entry

“Moderate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/moderate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

moderate

1 of 3 adjective
mod·​er·​ate ˈmäd-(ə-)rət How to pronounce moderate (audio)
1
a
: avoiding or lacking extremes (as in behavior or temperature)
a moderate eater
moderate climates
b
: calm entry 3 sense 2, reasonable
moderate demands
2
a
: neither very much nor very little : average in size or amount
a moderate rain
b
: neither very good nor very bad
met with only moderate success
3
: opposed to major social change or extreme political ideas
a moderate candidate
4
: not expensive : reasonable or low in price
moderate rates
moderately adverb
moderateness noun

moderate

2 of 3 verb
mod·​er·​ate ˈmäd-ə-ˌrāt How to pronounce moderate (audio)
moderated; moderating
1
: to make or become less violent, severe, or intense
2
: to guide a discussion or act as chairperson of a meeting

moderate

3 of 3 noun
mod·​er·​ate ˈmäd-(ə-)rət How to pronounce moderate (audio)
: one who holds moderate views or belongs to a moderate group (as in politics)

Medical Definition

moderate

1 of 2 adjective
mod·​er·​ate ˈmäd-(ə-)rət How to pronounce moderate (audio)
1
: avoiding extremes of behavior : observing reasonable limits
a moderate drinker
2
: not severe in effect or degree
moderate alcohol consumption
the abdomen was mildly distended with moderate tendernessTimothy Melester et al.
moderate developmental disabilities

moderate

2 of 2 transitive verb
mod·​er·​ate ˈmäd-ə-ˌrāt How to pronounce moderate (audio)
moderated; moderating
: to reduce the speed or energy of (neutrons)
moderation noun

More from Merriam-Webster on moderate

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