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
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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
One of Them Days, which is still in theaters, has already grossed nearly $50 million on a rather modest budget.
—
Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2025
Architect Robert Garneau didn’t have to look far for inspiration when he was asked to renovate a modest apartment inside a prewar building in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood.
—Troy J. McMullen, Architectural Digest, 6 Mar. 2025
But prosecutors doubted Carlson’s more modest intentions.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2025
Lowe’s said full-year total sales could see modest growth.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for modest
Mikey O'Connell, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Mar. 2025
Architect Robert Garneau didn’t have to look far for inspiration when he was asked to renovate a modest apartment inside a prewar building in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood.
—Troy J. McMullen, Architectural Digest, 6 Mar. 2025
But prosecutors doubted Carlson’s more modest intentions.
—Jake Goodrick, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2025
Lowe’s said full-year total sales could see modest growth.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for modest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for modest
Adjective
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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy recently claimed that controllers make $160,000 on average three years out of the academy.—
Alex Fitzpatrick,
Axios,
11 Mar. 2025
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Trump's approval and disapproval ratings both currently stand at 48 percent, according to an average calculated by Newsweek.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Blanchett, meanwhile, continues her reign among the cadre of actresses who work with their stylists — in this case, Elizabeth Stewart — to craft a collection of press-run looks that extend beyond pure glamour in their talking points.—
Laurie Brookins,
The Hollywood Reporter,
13 Mar. 2025
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This can provide significant advantages over today’s best mini-LED TVs, including higher brightness, less blooming (light bleed around bright images), and purer, more accurate colors.—
Ryan Waniata,
WIRED,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Those directly involved, however, were never shy to say that Jones’ role and level of play proved critical for a group that went from one of the NFL’s worst to among its very best.—
Parker Gabriel,
The Denver Post,
9 Mar. 2025
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An important late-season matchup is in store, as Brighton (43 points, 8th place) and Fulham (42 points, 9th place) sit only a few points shy of Nottingham Forest (48 points, 3rd place) in the Premier League table.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The humble Cuervo Especial anchors the brand, but its pinnacle and much, much better tequila is called Reserva de la Familia, and the brand just announced the details of the lineup’s new annual artist collaboration collector’s box.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
11 Mar. 2025
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Why are cows less deserving than the humble beaver?—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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With the stock significantly off its highs and now trading closer to its historical median multiple, one analyst took a more bullish stance .—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
13 Mar. 2025
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In 2017, the median home price in California was more than 2.5 times the national median, with coastal urban areas experiencing even higher prices.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
Newsweek,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Laurent Ferrier Galet Square The opportunity to own an immaculate creation from the hands of a master watchmaker with Patek Philippe pedigree sounds like an unfathomable accomplishment.—
Clem Chambers,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
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The first two rounds run Thursday through Sunday — that’s four immaculate days of next-to-nonstop college basketball in gyms across the country.—
Sam Cohn,
Baltimore Sun,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Nicky Jam has released his first project since facing stark backlash for his (withdrawn) endorsement of Donald Trump.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
28 Feb. 2025
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Children may express anxiety by becoming distant, withdrawn, agitated, upset, or avoiding social contact.8 4.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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The character, who started as a seemingly meek Secret Service agent of questionable talent, turned out to be a highly skilled assassin of questionable sanity.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
6 Mar. 2025
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Less impressive was the following game, a meek 0-1 loss to West Ham United, which ended the quest for a Premier League title and renewed the striker debate like never before.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Modest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/modest. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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