1
as in average
being about midway between extremes of amount or size
he was awarded a modest pension when he retired
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pure
free from any trace of the coarse or indecent
tended to wear more modest swimsuits than the thong-clad guests at the resort
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in shy
not comfortable around people
a modest winner who said a quick thank-you and promptly left the stage
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4
as in humble
not having or showing any feelings of superiority, self-assertiveness, or showiness
appealingly modest about her success in the fashion industry
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of modest
The actor has focused on more modest and British fare such as Small Things Like These and The Immortal Man since.
—
Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2025
Tax cuts and a rising deficit Although modest, the savings from cutting spending and raising revenues could have gone toward reducing the deficit.
—Laurent Belsie, Christian Science Monitor, 20 May 2025
Digital twins are virtual replicas that do more than their modest name suggests.
—Kathleen Kewley, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Settling in Stock futures were slightly lower in premarket trading Tuesday after the major averages posted modest gains on Monday.
—Sara Salinas, CNBC, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for modest
Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2025
Tax cuts and a rising deficit Although modest, the savings from cutting spending and raising revenues could have gone toward reducing the deficit.
—Laurent Belsie, Christian Science Monitor, 20 May 2025
Digital twins are virtual replicas that do more than their modest name suggests.
—Kathleen Kewley, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
Settling in Stock futures were slightly lower in premarket trading Tuesday after the major averages posted modest gains on Monday.
—Sara Salinas, CNBC, 20 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for modest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modest
Adjective
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How to build credit as an authorized user on a credit card What is the average credit score in the U.S.?—
Jackie Charniga,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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On average, female participants took about 4.5 bites to finish their pizza slice, while men took just 2.1 bites. Number of chews.—
Brian Mastroianni,
Health,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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Here are some of the best words to describe his work: simple, clean, clear, pure and, above all, elegant.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2025
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This is an exuberant, visually stylish imagining of soccer that, say some critics who played the beta preview, gets tantalizingly close to the pure physical joy of kicking an actual soccer ball around with your friends.—
Lewis Gordon,
Vulture,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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Kardashian hasn't been shy about linking her career in law to Elle Woods since her journey began.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
23 May 2025
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Read More: Why Trump and South Africa Are at Odds American officials were not shy about their racial biases.—
Time,
Time,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Improbably located right across the street from their humble abode is the upscale manse inhabited by the Falconers, a rich couple (Katherine Waterson, Chris Klein) who’ve raised only child Tiffany (Fina Strazza) to be a particularly stinging WASP.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
23 May 2025
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Each pits a young heroine of humble means against the formidable, possibly sinister lady of the estate; this time, that quintessential Nicole Kidman role is played by a serenely terrifying Julianne Moore.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Rounding out the top three are San Jose, California and San Francisco, where homeowners paid a median $9,554 and $8,156, respectively.—
Ana Teresa Solá,
CNBC,
24 May 2025
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That fell short of the median estimate in a Bloomberg survey of economists and marked the weakest April since 2009.—
Bloomberg,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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Relax like a tech mogul Ambergris Cay’s 17 beachfront bungalows are immaculate, 1,600-square-foot spaces with sitting areas, shiny gold-tiled showers, private plunge pools and spotless Wi-Fi for any Zoom calls that couldn’t get rescheduled after your trip.—
DeMarco Williams,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
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The film's somber romanticism grounds the immaculate airborne action with a rich emotional core, paving the way for overwhelming catharsis at the conclusion.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
24 May 2025
Adjective
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My main criticism is its withdrawn camera, which is set too far away from the action in most stages.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
30 Apr. 2025
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Parents watch as their once-curious children become withdrawn, dreading school instead of embracing it.—
Claudia Nachtigal,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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According to the latest report from L.A.’s film office, production days on location decreased more than 22 percent in the first quarter of 2025 compared with an already meek period in 2024.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
2 May 2025
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Democrats, unable either to diagnose or to admit to their own failings, measured their victories in the meekest of triumphs, and seemed to have lost all sense of purpose, direction, and proportion.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Modest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modest. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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