moderates 1 of 2

plural of moderate
as in centrists
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

moderates

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of moderate

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 moderates
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. 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 Most politicians, Democrat, Republicans, liberals, moderates and conservatives fold if they are subjected to enough pressure from activists and progressives. Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 4 Sep. 2025 His campaign style may have energized conservative downstate voters, but Illinois governors can’t be elected without persuading suburban moderates, and Bailey did little to even try. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025 While nobody has formally announced their candidacy, the next leader will have to heal divisions between moderates and progressives in the party. Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025 By any reasonable standard, the Republican Party, both in Connecticut and nationally, has morphed into a right-wing extremist party – there are few moderates left to be found – as Republicans actively work to concentrate political and economic power in the hands of America’s billionaire elite. Martin M. Looney, Hartford Courant, 20 Aug. 2025 When that happens, disenchanted moderates will radicalize, and income inequality will detonate. Matt K. Lewis, Twin Cities, 19 Aug. 2025 Schwarzenegger’s appeal to persuadable moderates deal a blow to Newsom’s effort. John Seiler, Oc Register, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moderates
Noun
  • As of now, this hasn’t occurred, with the anti-Milei centrists representing a minority position ahead of the election.
    Agustino Fontevecchia, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
  • Beshear and Shapiro are considered centrists, mostly due to their states’ political makeup.
    Taylor Millard, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Treatment during the chronic, asymptomatic phase may prevent or slow disease progression, though effectiveness decreases with time.
    Matthew Binnicker, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • This risk decreases as the storm moves away.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • As the shoreline’s clarity diminishes, Berry stressed the importance of this research for conservation efforts, especially doing it collaboratively.
    Amelia Wu, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • These double peaks occur when solar activity spikes, subsides, and then returns a few years later.
    Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025
  • Fortunately, the issue subsides once the instruments and vocals stack on top.
    Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Bonnie Treichel, an attorney who specializes in ERISA, expects more firms to seize on private assets as the number of public companies declines and the private market grows.
    Michelle Fox, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Then the real value of dollars, meaning their purchasing power, declines.
    Hersh Shefrin, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Oregon rises after beating Oklahoma State by 66, while Clemson falls after trailing Troy at halftime before a 27-16 win.
    Chris Vannini, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Raising systemic issues and then resolving them with humor falls flat for this critic.
    Beandrea July, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Moderates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moderates. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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