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as in humble
not having or showing any feelings of superiority, self-assertiveness, or showiness appealingly modest about her success in the fashion industry

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word modest distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of modest are chaste, decent, and pure. While all these words mean "free from all taint of what is lewd or salacious," modest and decent apply especially to deportment and dress as outward signs of inward chastity or purity.

preferred more modest swimsuits
decent people didn't go to such movies

When is it sensible to use chaste instead of modest?

While the synonyms chaste and modest are close in meaning, chaste primarily implies a refraining from acts or even thoughts or desires that are not virginal or not sanctioned by marriage vows.

they maintained chaste relations

How do pure and chaste relate to one another, in the sense of modest?

Pure differs from chaste in implying innocence and absence of temptation rather than control of one's impulses and actions.

the pure of heart

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 modest Their group of friends usually celebrates in a low-key, modest way. Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025 Perplexity offers a modest number of integrations with Gmail, Outlook, Slack, WhatsApp, and more. PC Magazine, 25 Oct. 2025 Advertisement Blue Moon is both a modest movie and a dazzling, generous work. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 24 Oct. 2025 The effects of sourdough on blood pressure appear modest at best. Morgan Pearson, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for modest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modest
Adjective
  • Seizeen Store Inflatable Hot Tub with Massage Jets This isn’t your average inflatable tub.
    Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Oct. 2025
  • In terms of precipitation, the seasonal temperature outlook predicts a 33%-40% likelihood of an above average amount of precipitation for the entire state during the winter months.
    Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Add a blazer, cardigan, or trench on top—this piece is pure versatility with a side of glam.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Companies can also come under attack for pure political gain, as seen in then Republican candidate Ron DeSantis’s confrontation with Disney over LGBTQ rights.
    Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The colt has earned just shy of $4 million and the only horses to beat him since his debut are likely to be the top two choices in the Classic – Sovereignty (Kentucky Derby and Belmont) and Fierceness (Pacific Classic).
    Jay Posner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
  • Fletcher has 20 career rushing touchdowns in two-and-a-half seasons at Miami, one shy of tying Clinton Portis for 10th all-time in UM history.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • From humble beginnings of small-scale personal gardens, the company has since evolved to managing large-scale estates.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
  • In The Furious, when his daughter Rainy is abducted, humble tradesman Wang Wei is thrust into a deadly underworld of corruption and violence.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Still, the median Milwaukee home cost less than the national median price of $435,545.
    Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
  • And for first-time buyers who have struggled to break into the market, new opportunities may be emerging in the condominium sector, where the median price has declined 7% from the previous year.
    Collyn Wainwright, Nashville Tennessean, 26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Many reviewers credited the beach’s immaculate facilities and amenities— including bathrooms, charcoal grills, tables, and picnic pavilions—for making their visits true trips to paradise.
    Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 22 Oct. 2025
  • But with Mayfield playing immaculate hero ball, those issues are less important than the fact that Tampa’s young (and now injured) secondary is exactly the type of game the Lions prefer to hunt.
    J.J. Bailey, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Set in Taiwan in 1988, Girl revolves around Hsiao-lee, a quiet and withdrawn girl, growing up in silent gloom.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
  • Unfortunately, further discussions were heated, with no resolve, just more withdrawn behavior while the communications continued.
    Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 30 July 2025
Adjective
  • Tessa Thompson stars as the willful heroine, married to a rather meek academic, George Tesman (Tom Bateman), who’s angling for an important university position.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Employment growth is meek, but the labor market is holding steady.
    Samantha Subin, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Modest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modest. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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