mod·er·ate (m d r- t)adj.1. Being within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme: a moderate price. 2. Not violent or subject to extremes; mild or calm; temperate: a moderate climate. 3. a. Of medium or average quantity or extent. b. Of limited or average quality; mediocre. 4. Opposed to radical or extreme views or measures, especially in politics or religion. n. One who holds or champions moderate views or opinions, especially in politics or religion. v.tr.1. To lessen the violence, severity, or extremeness of. 2. To preside over: She was chosen to moderate the convention. v.intr.1. To become less violent, severe, or extreme; abate. 2. To act as a moderator.
[Middle English moderat, from Latin moder tus, past participle of moder r , to moderate; see med- in Indo-European roots.]
mod er·ate·ly adv. mod er·ate·ness n. mod er·a tion n. Synonyms: moderate, qualify, temper These verbs mean to make less extreme or intense: moderated the severity of his rebuke; qualified her criticism; admiration tempered with fear. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | moderateness - the property of being moderate in price or expenditures; "the store is famous for the reasonableness of its prices"; "the modestness of the living standards here becomes obvious immediately" |
| 2. | moderateness - quality of being moderate and avoiding extremesdegree, level, grade - a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality; "a moderate grade of intelligence"; "a high level of care is required"; "it is all a matter of degree" reasonableness - moderation in expectations; "without greater reasonableness by both parties we will never settle this matter!" |